PREFACE. 



I HAVE the honor of laying before the public my First Report on European 

 Agriculture and Rural Economy. It is to a considerable degree, miscellaneous, 

 and not so full of that practical information and detail which I design to give 

 hereafter. I trust, however, it will not be found deficient in practical value. 

 Many persons may think that I should particularly point out what is to be 

 learnt from European agriculture ; but I understand it to be my province to 

 give an honest account of what I see, premising that there is nothing to be seen 

 from which something may not be learnt, and that it is for others, and not for me, 

 to say what they will learn from that which is placed before them. Where we 

 find ourselves inferior to others, it may be desirable to ascertain how we may 

 reach the excellence to which they have attained ; and where the advantage is 

 obviously upon our side, it may be a subject of honest congratulation. In cir 

 cumstances, even the most different, a sagacious mind will gather instruction 

 from contrast as well as from analogy ; and the success of any man, in any trade, 

 pursuit, manufacture, or art, is in itself a powerful stimulus to others to exertion ; 

 and, therefore, an instrument of excellence in any and in every other art or 

 pursuit. I know no better way than to record my impressions of what comes 

 under my notice in the field, which I have undertaken to explore, as faithfully as 

 I can, and with as much detail as seems expedient ; and to do my best, that every 

 one who reads my pages with candor, will not close the book without finding 

 something agreeable and instructive, something for improvement in the impor 

 tant art to which my labors will be particularly devoted, and something to make 

 him wiser, better, or happier. These latter are the proper ends of knowledge 

 and of life ; and this honest aim will in itself sanctify and elevate the humblest 

 efforts. 



The objects of my inquiry are, of course, various and extensive, and embrace 

 every thing connected with the cultivation of the earth, the improvements which 

 are now going on in agriculture, and every branch of husbandry and rural and 

 domestic economy. 



Among these topics will, of course, be comprehended 



The Soils, and especially in their relation to different crops. 



Manures and their application. 



The Implements of Husbandry, and various Machines for facilitating ana 

 abridging the labors of the Farm. 



The different great operations of Agriculture, such as Ploughing, Sowing, 

 Cultivating and Cleaning, Harvesting and preparing the Crops for use or 

 market, with the general application of the Produce of a Farm. 



