iv Preface, 



jects connected with agriculture,^ will be highly beneficial and 

 gratifying. 



Two subjects, in particular, are deemed worthy of great at- 

 tention, from all concerned in agriculture ; and on these the 

 society would gladly receive information : viz. on the diseases 

 of our domestic animals^ and^ on neiv manures ; on both these 

 subjects, very interesting papers will be found in the present 

 volume. A great object in American husbandry, is the 

 improvement of horned cattle : the society will therefore 

 receive, with thanks, all information respecting any domes- 

 tic breeds of neat cattle, sheep, and swine, which have been 

 found to possess peculiar good qualities : and they strong- 

 ly urge the necessity of presei'\^ing, for breed, all those, even 

 of accidental offspring, possessing the desirable and requisite 

 qualities, to entitle them to value and preference. Thus a 

 breed of neat cattle, producing oxen, remarkable for speed 

 of gait and strength, symmetry of form, and gentleness of dis- 

 positioYi ; and a tendency to fatten quickly, and to increase of 

 flesh and fat, upon those points which recommend them at 

 market, are to be attended to. It is well known, that the di- 

 versity in these respects is great, and constitutes the gi'ound 

 of important improvements, by various spirited farmers in 

 Europe^ And as in many parts of this country, occasional 

 instances of very excellent breeds are to be found, the soci- 

 ety think they will render service to the communit}^, by 

 calling the public attention to the subject. It must be acknow- 

 ledged that the common American oxen fatten well, that they 



* Many citizens have a mistaken idea, that their not being- agriculturists, 

 disqnaliiies them from becoming useful members of our Society. A con- 

 tribution of pecuniary means, and personalpiitronage, are the first reqiii- 

 pites, in our plan, for promoting tlie prosperity of this great City, by diffus- 

 ing and encouraging the knowledge and pursuits of agriculture. The in- 

 terests of Commerce, Arts and Manufactures, form, with Agriculture, an in- 

 dissoluble union ; to which citizens of every class and calling, have it amply 

 int-heir power to contribute* 



