xvi Introduction 



selves and our suffering friends overseas is now as vital an 

 undertaking as the manufacture of munitions, or the train 

 ing of men. 



Then, too, a greater interest in farming had already begun 

 to manifest itself among the American people before this 

 war. It, no doubt, came as a reaction to the excessive de 

 votion of the people to the industrial life of the city. This 

 fact, together with the responsibilities which the war has 

 placed upon the farmer, led the present editor of these 

 papers to think it especially timely and fitting to present to 

 the public this selection from the choicest collection of let 

 ters on agriculture that the literature of this nation pos 

 sesses. 



Our school histories have told us that George Washington 

 was &quot; first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of 

 his countrymen.&quot; However we may try to vary the expres 

 sion of this thought, the idea still remains fixed in our minds. 

 It has been generally accepted as a statement of fact. Now, 

 it seems perfectly clear that George Washington was &quot; first 

 in war &quot; ; that, though he did not rush his countrymen into 

 conflict, he was nevertheless ready to lead them in their fight 

 against oppression. It is also quite evident that he is &quot; first 

 in the hearts of his countrymen.&quot; 



But is it entirely clear just how Washington was &quot; first 

 in peace &quot;? True, he set to work willingly and at great 

 sacrifice to help frame the constitution, and later, to con 

 struct a government upon it that should stand as a new 

 nation, capable of self-government, and capable of defending 

 its integrity against stronger and older nations. But be 

 sides the absorbing interest which he seems to have had in 

 the civil affairs of the country, is it generally known that 

 he possessed an interest in agriculture, which easily rivalled 

 his great devotion to military and governmental affairs? 



