vi Preface. 



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of a few. We arc abundantly happy to perceive, every 

 %vhere, agiicultural improvement ; growing even under the 

 praise-worthy skill and labours oi' unconnected individuals ; 

 not enjoying the advantages, which a knowledge of the suc- 

 cess o'" others, in approved practices, would impart. Yet, un- 

 less a general spirit of systematical improvement can be 

 roused, the progress must be slovv^. We see the extent of the 

 ground ; but feel ourselves inadequate to the occupation of ' 

 it. When speculation, and a thirst for instant gain, find ob- 

 jects of employment tending to immediate . profit, real or 

 fanciful, ardour in the pursuit is rapid and active. But when 

 results are produced by combinations not strikingly apparent, 

 we are not disappointed when we find, that much time and 

 pains are required, to produce general attention, and salutary 

 conviction. 



It is vain to say, that agriculture is sufficiently encouraged, 

 by those who take off and consume, or deal in, its products. 

 This may be said of any other branch of labour, art, employ. 

 ment, or pursuit. It has been found, in all ages and coun- 

 tries, that the cultivators of the soil require peculiar atten- 

 tion to instruction in their own art. Genius, learning, pa- 

 triotism, wealth and power, have been, from the remotest 

 times, employed in their encouragement. This encourage- 

 ment has ever been deemed the most honourable, and the 

 brightest ornament, to the characters of those who bestow^ed it. 



The wise and good leader of the patriots of his day, who 

 v/as an instrument, in the hands of heaven and his country, 

 to lay the foundations of our present prosperity (unexam- 

 pled in other regions of our globe, though deplorable and 

 vexatious casualities, unjust and oppressive trespasses, and 

 inortifying interruptions, too o/ten lop its exuberancesj 

 was, in addition to his other virtues, distinguished for his 

 ardent devotion to the interests of agriculture ; and de^ 

 lighted in its practical pursuits. He has erected lor himself, 

 a MONUMENT to his fame, in the happiness of his country. 



