t2 INTRODUCTION. 



farmers, that many of them have displayed 

 much skill and industry in the cultivation of 

 their farms; and have contributed, in no small de- 

 gree, to the improvement of practical husbandry. 

 The effects, however, of these laudable ex- 

 ertions have been partial and limited* They 

 have awakeneH the public attention ; they have 

 thrown much light upon this important subject; 

 and have done much good in particular coun- 

 ties and districts. But they have never been 

 able to diffuse a spirit of industry and improve- 

 ment generally through the kingdom ; nor to 

 establish a system of agriculture upon principles 

 capable of univeifal application. 



When thefe circumstances are considert d, we 

 cannot wonder that the progress of agriculture 

 has been so slow, and that, in so few instances, 

 it hath reached to any degree of perfection. If 

 I am rightly informed, a comparatively small 

 part of the kingdom can boast of a complete 

 state of cultivation. A very large proportion, 

 though in a progressive state of improvement, 

 is still, by many degrees, short of perfection. 

 And vast tracts of land, capable of cultivation, 

 still remain in a state of nature, or under a 

 course of management little superior to what 

 existed some centuries ago. 



The period, however, is now arrived, when 

 the eyes of the nation seem to be opened ; and 

 a taste and spirit for agricultural improvement, 

 which, for some time, have been advancing with 

 slow laborious steps, are now beginning to ope- 

 rate with a vigour and to an. extent hitherto 

 unknown. By the persevering efforts of a patri- 

 otic individual, a BOARD of AGRICULTURE has 



