^"^ PREFACE. 



ion ; and to explain those circumstances which often create di- 

 versity of opinions among intelligent farmers, so as to reconcUe 

 hem if possible ; for, it is certain that this diversity does exist 

 among cultivators of the soil in the same vicinity, although the 

 laws which govern the vegetable creation are as uniform and 

 unalterable as the progress of time. In the hands of one per- 

 son, a plan will succeed ; in the hands of another, it fails ; a 

 knowledge ofthe causes of these different results constitutes 

 the basis of agricultural science. It has been found necessa- 

 ry from the limited extent ofthe work, to confine the subject to 

 remarks which relate only to some ofthe modern modes of im- 

 proving land, and of producing those crops, and rearing and 

 improving those animals, which have hitherto been considered 

 most useful. It is not intended to amuse the speculative theo- 

 rist, but aid the practical farmer in his pursuits. Those gen- 

 tlemen, both in Europe and America, who have made efforts in 

 modern times to improve the science of agriculture, have gen- 

 erally received no other compensation for their services, ex- 

 cept what individuals have been pleased to bestow on them as 

 the reward of their industry. Should the author ofthe follow- 

 ing essays not receive even the reward which may be due to 

 his industry, yet he hopes he may enjoy that gratitude from the 

 public, to which he thinks he has a just claim from the effor^- 

 he his mide to encourage the pursuits, and promote the sci- 

 ence of agriculture, although it should be found inadequate to 

 his design. 



THE AUTHOR. 



