S88 Agriculture. 



^igricultLire, and the various subiects connected 

 with it, many facts, discoveries and improvements 

 have been recorded and laid before the ))ubiic> in 

 the transactions of numerous agricultural Societies, 

 formed in almost ever}-' part of Europe, and in 

 Am^erica. These associations have proposed ques- 

 tions to be brought to the test of experim.ent and 

 discussion; have offered premiums and honours 

 for encouraging the necessary inquiries; have in- 

 vited free communications from all classes of citi- 

 zens; and by these means brought to light many 

 instructive facts and doctrines, which the exertions 

 of detached individuals could scarcely have deve- 

 loped. It is, doubtless, to the influence of these 

 associations that we are to ascribe much of that 

 pre-eminence in agriculture, over all other ages, 

 w^hich the eighteenth century claims. 



The improvements which have taken place In 

 the agriculture of the United States, during the 

 last twenty or thirty years, are very great. Our 

 farmers, it is true, are far from having kept pace 

 with their European brethren in enterprise, and 

 the adoption of new and profitable modes of culti- 

 vation. Alany of them obstinately adhere to prac- 

 tices which have been completely exploded; and 

 neglect others and better, though recommended 

 by the fullest experience. But if much remains to 

 be done, much has also been performed towards 

 the correction of this evil. V/ithin a few years 

 past, societies for the promotion of agriculture 

 have been formed in all the principal States in the 

 Union. Gentlemen of learning, observation, and 

 property have zealously embarked in this interest- 

 ing cause. The adoption of trans-atlantic improve- 

 ments is gradually becoming more common; and 

 the aspect of a large portion of our country indi- 

 cates a considerable increase of enterprise and of 

 taste in husbandry. The number of our country- 



