DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE AND ALL ITS VARIOUS KINDRED ARTS AND SCIENCES. 



CLOSE OF THE VOLUME. 



As we commenced the New England Farmer in 

 December, the first volume now closes before the 

 expiration of the j'ear. In order to time with the 

 year in future, the second volume will commence on 

 the first Saturday in January. 



All new undertakings may be regarded as experi- 

 ments ; but knowing the wants and the intelligence 

 of the farming community, we commenced the Farmer 

 with full confidence of success, and our expectations 

 have been more than realized in the liberal encour- 

 agement we have received ; and we shall enter upon 

 another volume with renewed confidence. 



Our numerous friends who have patronized us and 

 aided in our circulation, and particularly correspond- 

 ents and contributors who have generously furnished 

 valuable matter for the paper, will please accept our 

 grateful acknowledgments. We respectfully solicit 

 our friends to continue their kind favors. 



The character of this paper in being devoted ex- 

 clusively to agriculture and rural affairs, and its 

 compact form for binding, rendering it convenient 

 for preservation and reference, with the neatness of 

 its execution, all fitting it for an important place in 

 the family library, give general satisfaction, and its 

 low price places it at the disposal of all. 



As the science and improved practice of agricul- 

 ture are new subjects, but few points are settled to 

 the general satisfaction of the most competent judges ; 

 and numerous subjects for consideration are before 

 the community, that require close investigation from 

 the most skilful in practice, and the most thorough 

 in science. 



We would invite the aid of all who can contribute 

 to the general fund of knowledge for the promotion 

 of improvement in the various industrial branches 

 connected with that great and leading branch, the 

 culture of the soil, which is the basis and support 

 of aU. 



Agriculture is every year assuming more and more 

 importance, and this spirit of reform will prevail, 

 until this profession, distinguished for independence, 

 dignity, and utility, will be duly appreciated, and 

 rank as the first of arts, as it did in the primeval 



condition of man. May its life-giving, harmonizing, 

 and benign influence spread far and wide, and 

 hasten that happy period when Peace shall extend 

 her olive wand over the world, 



" And iiscless lances into scythes shall blend, 

 And the broad falchion in the ploughshare end." 



CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 



The close of the year is a suitable time for reflec- 

 tion. The intelligent cultivator of the soil, as he 

 surveys his crops, and examines the records of his 

 doings the past season, learns many useful lessons. 

 He sees the result of his experiments, and gathers a 

 fresh acquisition of knowledge to aid him iii his 

 future operations. 



He not only learns from his own experience, but 

 he observes the experiments of his brother farmers ; 

 and he also reads what others are doing in various 

 parts of the world, beyond the reach of Ms personal 

 examinations. 



Li this way, the judicious farmer embraces every 

 opportunity, and treasures up wisdom ixom. every 

 available source, and grows wiser day by day ; and 

 every year adds largely to his fund of knowledge, as 

 is clearly manifested by his superior success. 



But few in this age'of improveraent are willing to 

 plod along in the old beaten track of their fathers, 

 for the spirit of progress is sown, broadcast over the 

 land, and scattered into every nook and corner, by 

 numerous books and periodicals, and every one par- 

 takes, in some measui-e, of what is passing around 

 him. 



NOTICE TO OUR FRIENDS. 



We request every subscriber, and every reader of 

 the Farmer, to use their influence in circulating this 

 paper. In this way, with only a little attention, 

 they may do a favor to their friends or neighbors, 

 and much oblige us. The diffusion of useful infor- 

 mation conduces to the public welfare, and he that 

 contributes to this end will do good service in a 

 cause of general interest and utility. Will every 

 subscriber show his paper to his friends and, request 



