INTRODUCTION. 



Veneraio the- Slaugh. \ 



HUSBANDRY was the first employment of man, therefore, 

 the most ancient, the most honourable, and, above all, of 

 Divine appointment. 



The earth is not only the Parent of man, under God, 

 but the Parent of all his support. Husbandry is, therefore, 

 not only the basis on which the existence of the communi- 

 ty depends, but the source from whence the wealth of 

 the community is derived. 



The prince and the peasant are both fed, clothed and 

 warmed from the field. The arts and sciences are alike 

 supported by the labours of the Husbandman ; and the 

 merchant derives all his wealth from the exchange of the 

 productions of different countries : all are the productive 

 labours of the cultivator, and the common bounties of our 

 parent Earth. Husbandry is, therefore, not only the most 

 ancient, and most honourable employment, but the most in- 

 dependent ; and yields the greatest quantum of enjoyment 

 to the industrious sons of labour. 



These facts being settled, let us examine the science of 

 husbandry, and draw from thence such a system of prac- 

 tice, as shall enable us to cultivate and manage all the 

 variety of soils to the best advantage, and draw from them 

 the greatest amount in a given time, with the least possible 

 expense, and yet preserve the strength and fertility of the 

 soil. This is not only the true art, but the whole mystery 

 of farming. 



We are all sensible that two great evils have uniformly 

 obstructed the attainment of this great object ; the one is, 

 when the farmer runs too hastily into new and visionary 

 schemes ; and the other, when he adheres too obstinately 

 to such old practices as are obviously bad. The design 

 >f thb work is, to correct, as far as possible, both of these 



o, 



