PREFACE. 



might be given to it, by a system of national education, disci- 

 pline and laws. This however, can never be expected, so long 

 as the knowledge and the practice of agriculture are, by force 

 of public opinion, considered degrading and unworthy the efforts 

 of intellectual capacity. 



Although agriculture, as an art, has engaged the attention 

 of mankind from the earliest ages, yet at this advanced period 

 the farmer may be considered as remaining without fixed prin- 

 ciples for regulating his practice in many important branches 

 of his business. Writers on this subject have too often amus- 

 ed their readers, by publishing opinions founded solely in spec- 

 ulation ; without reflecting that every kind of theory which has 

 not extensive practice and observation for its basis, is prepos- 

 terous and absurd. It is equally so, too, for the practical farmer 

 to pretend that from one successful result of a simple operation, 

 he can furnish a theory which should be considered invariable 

 and uniform in its application. The various opinions, founded 

 solely on practical knowledge, are often the result of correct 

 and judicious observations ; but when the same operations ter- 

 minate in a different result, then it is that the philosophy of 

 nature becomes necessary to explain the reason and the neces- 

 sity of changing those opinions, and of accommodating practi- 

 cal means to a change of circumstances. 



The business of agriculture depends on a greater variety of 

 knowledge and experience, and requires much more judgment 

 and discretion, than any art or trade which pertains to manual 

 labor. The great variety of the properties in different soils, 

 the perpetual changes of the weather, and the seasons, as well 

 as many accidents, must continually vary its operations to ren- 

 ^tr them successful^. 



