PREFACE.

Tue circumſtances of the preſent diſtreſſing Scarcity, have turned the attention of the public Very generally to Agricul- ture. Hence we too haye received a full quantity of commu- nication on that topic; nor are We fearful of giving offence by an unequal appropriation of our Pages between Agriculture and Commerce: we wiſh our Magazine to conſtitute a link of conne@ion and mutual information between theſe occupations, the molt important to the welfare of mankind.

On the ſubje@ of the Threſhing Machine we have beſtowed much attention; it promiſes a diminution of the ufual waſte of corn by careleſs threfhing. We have been promiſed additional information of this Machine, and hope that the next year will fee it adopted into general uſe. The ſpeculation on the general principle and increment of fertility, may hercafter make a revo- lution in Agriculture.—Many minor diſcuffions in this occupa- tion, are to be found in the preſent volume; but theſe fade before the grand queſticns, whoſe proper ſolution will have conſiderable influence on the plenty or ſcarcity of furure times. Hence on the ſubje& of a general. Incloſure of Waſte Lands, we have been véry copious: we hope we may add, not unuſe= fully. The expedience of iarge farms is alſo amply diſcuſſed and determined; and we have been able to inſert a novel idea on the important conſideration of a general and laſting Commu- tation of Tythes.:

The ſevere preſſure of the Scarcity has(as uſual) excited a2 clamour about Monopoly; on this topic, we have rather” attempted to convince the mind, than to pleaſe the palate of our readers. A. contrary condué& in moît of the public prints, has threatened preſent famine, and future deſolation: luckily, the Miniſter has ftood firm in the breach; and thus has certainly done more good, than will balance againſt the weight of more evil than even his political opponents obje to his long admi- niftration,.

The papers on the Coal Trade, on the Wet Docks, on Egyptian Commerce, on a Court-Merchant, and many others, mark our attention to Commercial Affairs. In Navigation, we have been ſo iortunate as frſt to regiſter the bold innovation of the five-maſted ſhip: the deſcription and remarks on it, will engage the attention of every naval reader,

To the ManufaQures of our own, and of foreign countries, we have alío been attentive: the mode of building in Piſè, and the improvements in Rope-making, are important.

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