THE very imperfect state of AMERICAN Husbandry in general, compared with that of some countries in Europe, is too well known to be controverted.

It was a conviction of our great inferiority, in this respect, which gave rise to the present Society, formed after the example of institutions in Europe, whose laudable endeavours to promote the Agri­culture of their several countries, have been re­warded with the happiest effects. And here it may be observed that, the difficulties those societies had originally to overcome, were much greater than what we shall have to contend with: they found Husbandry, generally, in a rude and unprofitable state, and had to recommend im­provements from single instances of more skilful and fortunate management, until the whole, from [Page 4] the force of imitation, gradually became more perfect.—But we, instead of solitary examples of extraordinary and successful conduct amongst our­selves, may have the established practice of entire nations to hold up, as an encouragement, which we purpose to lay before the public, from time to time.

The Husbandry of this country, and of England, were fifty years ago both imperfect, and perhaps nearly alike;—here it has ever since remained nearly stationary, there it has been continually advancing:—A short parallel, drawn between them in their present state, will shew how far they are now apart.

American Method:—Unproductive fallows pre­cede crops; after crops, the land is generally given up for a number of years to weeds and poor natural grasses, until it shall come into heart again; the husbandman, in the mean while, employing his labours upon his other fields in succession.

English Method, with variations arising from soils and circumstances:—A field, when broken up, is manured with all the husbandman's force, [Page 5] and what is called a fallow crop taken off, that is such a crop as requires the frequent use of the plough or the hoe, as in turnips, potatoes, beans, &c. the land is then laid down in some kind of grain and clover, the last continuing sometimes two or three years, which is succeeded by wheat upon a single ploughing.—This course, or rotation of crops, is then renewed in the same order, the land never being idle or resting, as it is called.

This new practice is allowed to possess many advantages over the old, which is almost entirely renounced in England, but retained in America.

The manures used in the first instance, are applied to produce the best possible effect;—they go to benefit the whole course, be it for four or five years.—

The land is made perfectly mellow, and clean before it is laid down to grass, or sowed with grain; it being an established maxim, never to do either, until the earth is well pulverised, and its natural weeds, and those arising from the dung, fully extirpated by repeated plowings.

[Page 6]The land is neither hardened by rest, nor ex­hausted by rank weeds, which impoverish as much as a crop.

A greater abundance of grass, and other food for cattle, is obtained; more stock maintained, more dung made, and the whole products much greater.

The labour in such a course or rotation, though it requires considerable accuracy, does not follow so close, is not so hurried, and upon the whole not so great as in the former management.

And lastly; less land may be employed in culture.—

In this system, we shall remark that, wheat for instance, is produced on the same field but once during the whole course; but, skilful farmers so distribute their business, as to have one of their fields every year in wheat, and so of the other articles of crop—and of clover, which is supposed to last two years, of consequence two fields.

As more of art and contrivance, suggested by necessity and long experience, is manifested in the [Page 7] rural affairs of that country, than in our own,—it should not surprise us that the management of their farm-yards is orderly and systematic; to which are owing such prodigious accumulations of manures, as will enable the farmer in England to prosecute, to much greater extent and effect, his mode of Husbandry, than what can be attempted in America, until his oeconomy in this important article shall, by degrees, be introduced amongst us.

It may not be amiss to lay down in a few words, the general principles of this management, which will be found as widely different from ours, as is the system of cropping.

The barn, cattle-houses, sheds, stacks, &c. are so disposed round the farm-yard, as to afford the best winter shelter for live stock.

No cattle are suffered to run out between No­vember and May, but are all shut up and fed in the farm-yard—foddering in the fields occasioning great waste; and dung not lying there in sufficient heaps to produce fermentation, being thought of little account in manuring.

[Page 8]To the farm-yard is brought, the whole straw of the farm, sometimes leaves, fern, &c.—to be trampled on and converted into manure.

The yard is often bottomed with a layer of the richest earths that can be found, which is thrown up in the Spring, and mixed with the dung.

Societies abroad have proceeded by occasional communications of improved methods, and by honorary premiums given for experiments made. It is the design of this Society to tread in their steps; and they hope, they address themselves to a people sufficiently liberal to reject no practice they shall recommend, merely because it is new, or runs counter to former habits and prejudices;— they freely invite communications, upon all subjects comprehended within their extensive plan, and hope from their example to promote lesser institutions, of a similar nature, in different parts of the country amongst neighbours, each one exciting a spirit of improvement within its proper sphere.

[Page 9]A Summary of the Society's Constitution is subjoined; together with Premiums offered upon proposed subjects.—Some of the particulars con­tending for premiums, require a length of time, a series of years, to ascertain them by experiment; others are already experienced by individuals, or may be within the year.