ii Preface. 



and the same wretched system pursued. A natural meadow, 

 or one artificially watered, supplied more or less of hay ; but 

 where these resources were wanting, the purchase of winter 

 fodder was made from the hard earnings and savings in other 

 products ; or the poor animals fed on straw, and the scanty 

 pickings in the fields. — Since the introduction of red clover^ 

 and other artificial grasses^ a great and obvious change has 

 taken place ; and the most beneficial consequences have fol- 

 lowed. The comforts of the farmer are greatly increased, 

 and abundant supplies of summer and winter food for all do- 

 mestic animals, are furnished. Thus, by the manure obtain- 

 ed, ample means are afforded, of renewing the original strength, 

 of the soil. Among other measures tending to produce this 

 happy alteration, the general use of gypsum may be men- 

 tioned, as one of the most important : for although this sub- 

 stance had been introduced many years before the date of 

 our institution, yet its use was chiefly confined to the vicinity* 

 of Philadelphia. The society reflect with patriotic pleasure, 

 upon their agency in diffusing more extensively the knowledge 

 of its eff"ects upon land ; and in assisting to dispel the preju- 

 dices which unfortunately prevailed against it, by the publi- 

 cation of the communications of practical men, containing the 

 result of their experience with that valuable substance.^ 



Premiu?ns were also proposed and conferred, for the eluci- 

 dation of subjects upon which information was required, for 

 the adoption of approved systems and modes of European 

 culture, and practices, and for the improvement of certain ar- 

 ticles of domestic manufacture. Among the latter, cheese may 

 be mentioned ; for the best sample of which, and greatest quan- 

 tity, a gold medal was presented to Mr. Mathe~tvson of Rhode 

 Inland^ in the year 1790; the consequence of this distinction 



* The reader Is referred to the concise and useful publication of our now 

 President, in 1797, upon the subject ofgjpsum, for a full account of its use 

 as a manui-e ; and a refutation of the various prejudices foi'merly urged 

 asrainst it. 



