PREFACE. 



FARMING, after having beeii followed for ages as an 

 empirical art, or art resting solely on experience not 

 generalised, now begins to take a place among pursuits 

 that claim to be rational in their character, or, in other 

 words, to have their foundations in principles of science. 

 Nay, in our day it is not enough for the holder of a 

 farm to know the composition of its soils and the kinds 

 of material to be thrown from time to time thereon, 

 to replace what the annual crops never fail to carry off. 

 It is not sufficient for him to have learned how to deal 

 with the laws that govern the vegetation of the seed, 

 the growth of his crops, and their ripening for harvest, 

 he has also to carry his attention to animal nature. A 

 large amount of his capital is absorbed by horses, cattle, 

 and sheep. The return on his live stock will be, as 

 a rule, in proportion to the skill brought to bear on 

 its management. When diseases assail his animals, the 

 veterinary can be called into counsel; but in relation to 



