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Agriculture is the most healthy, the most useful, and the most noble employment of man. — Washington. 
VOL. VIII. 
NEW YORK, DECEMBER, 184-9. 
NO. XII. 
Messrs. Allen, Editors. 
C. M. Saxton, Publisher, 121 Fulton Street 
TO OUR READERS. 
This number closes the eighth volume of the 
Agriculturist, and in conducting the work thus far, 
we have done all in our power to elevate the con- 
dition of the tillers of the soil. It is the most 
ardent wish of our hearts, that the farmers should 
take the first stand in society, not only in wealth, 
but in intelligence. As a class, they are the basis 
of society, and to them all others look for their 
support. Why, then, should they not also look to 
them for their political rulers, their guides and con- 
ductors in mental acquirements 1 This ought always 
to be the case ; particularly in a republican govern- 
ment • and depend upon it, when this is not the 
case, you alone are blameabie, and the body politic 
is in a false position. Awake, then, to your rights, 
and seek a more enlarged and liberal education ; 
and above all, pay more attention to the reading of 
those publications which are conducted especially 
for the improvement of your minds and estates. 
The first number of the ninth volume of the 
Agriculturist will be issued promptly on the 1st of 
January next, and we trust that all those who have 
taken the preceding volumes, will continue their 
subscriptions. We shall endeavor to make it at 
least equal, if not superior, to its predecessors ; and 
in order to do this, we ask the farmers themselves 
to contribute often to its pages. We do not require 
fine writing, for this is not expected in a publica- 
tion like ours ; what we desire, is, practical matter, 
every-day experience, and any new facts which 
may come to light from time to time ; and however 
plain the language in which such things are recorded, 
be assured they will be quite welcclne, and will be 
put in proper shape for publication. Now, because 
you are plain, hard-working farmers, don't hesitate 
to address us freely and often ; you are just the 
men we wish to correspond with. 
A new feature in our journal, is, that we have 
engaged a highly-intelligent correspondent, Mr. 
Solon Robinson, an experienced, practical far- 
mer, to travel in various parts of the United States, 
for the purpose of obtaining the best agricultural 
information in the country, and communicate it to 
the public through our pages. Such an agency 
involves us in large additional expenses ; but these, 
and still more, we are ready at all times to incur, 
provided the farmers and planters will properly 
appreciate our efforts, and give us that support in 
return which we think we have a right fairly 
to ask. 
Now let every man of you take hold and do his 
best to increase the circulation of the Agriculturist. 
What is a dollar a year, even for the poorest man 
in the country, to pay for so useful a publication ? 
Many of you are benefitted ten, and sometimes a 
hundred dollars or more, by its publication. Should 
not this induce you to work for it, then, with all 
your might % 
Please to remit your subscriptions to the pub- 
lisher, C. M. Saxton, 121 Fulton street, and do 
this, whenever convenient, under cover of the 
postmaster of your place, and thus save the postage 
— the law allows this. Where several thousand 
letters are received annually, postage is quite an 
item to pay, though only a few cents on each 
letter. 
TO SUBSCRIBERS. 
Subscribers will please to recollect that the sub- 
scriptions for the Agriculturist are payable in ad- 
vance. All those, therefore, who wish the work 
continued, will immediately send in the same to C. 
M. Saxton, the publisher, 121 Fulton street, New 
York. No one would ever object to these terms, 
if he knew the trouble and loss attendant on col- 
lecting such small sums. 
