PREFACIS. **^ 



It is the duty of patriotism and philanthropy to investigate 

 those means which may, under all circumstances prove most 

 efficacious to the labors of the husbandman. 



It is an error to indulge an opinion that the knowledge of 

 these means is to be acquired only by practice ; and that the 

 most perfect acquisition of it, may as well be reserved to that 

 period of our history, when it shall be rendered necessary by a 

 crowded poDulation. 



Under Ihe influence of this error, and of that indisposition to 

 laborious pursuits, so predominant in the human character, we 

 suffer a great portion of our republic, which is said to be ini- 

 proved,to remain but a barren waste ; and under this influence, 

 too, we are forming habits which are to direct the destinies of 

 generations yet unborn. 



Itis one great object of the following essays, to stimulate 

 to those efibrts by which the quantity of productive and fertile 

 grounds may be increased. But this cannot be effected with- 

 out improving the general system of agriculture ; without in- 

 creasing the physical energies of our citizens, by engaging a 

 greater proportion of our population in the business of husban- 

 dry. 



It is not believed that an improved state of agriculture would 

 produce the means of indolence, or even of leisure ; but that 

 it would require more labor, while it would render industry 

 more efficacious. The particular mode of cultivating the vari- 

 ous fruits of the earth, adopted by the American farmer, has 

 generally been the result of his observation and experience. 

 The remarks therefore, which are made in the following essays 

 on that subject, are intended only as references to those prac- 

 Uces w which there has been found the gieateat union of opia- 



