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I have thus, sir, laid before you the principal objects designed 

 to be embraced in an Agricultural Survey of the State. It is 

 not of course expected that every farmer, possibly not any single 

 farmer, will be able to give me information on every subject 

 here enumerated ; nor will any farm or any town in the Com- 

 monwealth furnish examples of all the various crops, operations, 

 and stocks here mentioned. But what is wanting in one, may 

 doubtless be found in another; and as no subject is mentioned 

 in which the agriculture of the State is not directly concerned, 

 it is hoped that much valuable and practical information may be 

 collected in regard to all. It will be my province to gather up 

 the fragments that nothing be lost. I earnestly solicit, there- 

 fore, your particular aid in acquiring this information; and the 

 communication of your knowledge or experience, either by 

 writing, conversation, advice, or in any form in which you will 

 please to give it. Any trouble which any gentleman may take 

 upon himself for the purpose of procuring information shall be 

 always most gratefully acknowledged. 



I\ly duty will require me to visit every town in the State ; and 

 my wish is to visit every principal farm in every town, the man- 

 agement of which promises to afford useful information. In 

 determining what particular farms to visit, it is obvious that I 

 must necessarily be directed by the advice or suggestions of 

 others, which I shall always be most happy to receive ; but, in 

 order to avoid all invidiousness, I beg leave to state distinctly, 

 in the outset, that, unless prevented by extraordinary circum- 

 stances, I will visit every farmer, who will do me the kindness to 

 invite me to his premises ; and I have perfect confidence in find- 

 ins oftentimes as creditable and instructive management among 

 small farmers as among those who pursue agriculture upon an 

 extensive scale. I therefore solicit such invitations ; and will 

 gladly avail myself of them. 



I purpose to make the survey by Counties, and am anxious to 

 prosecute it with all convenient despatch. I beg the farmers to 

 whom this Circular is sent, to give it an attentive and repeated 

 examination. The objects of the survey are most important to 

 the farming interest. I go to seek information from practical 

 men; and shall be happy to communicate all that I receive. I 

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