PREFACE. 



THE flattering appearances of a more general diffu- 

 sion of a spirit encouraging to the friends of Agricul- 

 tural Improvement, which pervade our country, are 

 highly gratifying to our Society, whose labours have con- 

 tributed to rouse our fellow-citizens to a proper sense of its 

 importance, We arrogate to ourselves no peculiar merit; 

 though we look back, with great satisfaction, on our per- 

 severance in disinterested and patriotic endeavours. The 

 success attending such endeavours is the only reward we 

 covet ; nor do we claim exclusive praise. In other districts 

 of our Union, similar exertions have been made, by intelli- 

 gent and highly meritorious associations, to rescue from its 

 torpid situation a subject which is of the first consequence, as 

 it regards not only the individual happiness, subsistence and 

 comforts of all our citizens, of whatever profession or calling 

 they may respectively be ; but as it relates to the strength, 

 resources, and safety of our common country, which already 

 exhibits a rare phenomenon in the history of nations. The 

 Plough, and not the Sword, is the true emblem of its cha- 

 racter. Whilst, in other divisions of our globe, conquest, 

 and the splendour of military achievements, obtained by the 

 sacrifice of thousands of victims to bloody and heartless am- 

 bition, afford a false glare of national greatness; our strength, 

 wealth and happiness, are results produced by the enterprise, 

 exertion, and individual industry of a most wonderfully aug- 

 mented population. The Sword we have used, most effect- 

 ively, for defence ; and it can be wielded as effectively for 

 offence, when discomfiting our foes may require it. But the 

 Plough-share will more certainly and more innocently extend 

 our power and advancement. Our territory is more than 

 sufficient for ages of increasing population. We have only to 

 cultivate, with intelligence and assiduity, the regions we pos- 

 sess ; to render us incalculably prosperous and powerful. We 



