FREFACS. 



In most countries, where the arts of civil life have reached 

 any considerable degree of improvement, practical farming has 

 been studied as a science ; — and books innumerable have been 

 published upon the subject in almost every language ; yet, ia 

 the United States of America, the great business of making 

 the most of the labors of the field has been imperfectly under- 

 stood. Those periodical publications, which have often issued 

 from the press, containing useful information on agricultural 

 subjects, have not been rendered permanently useful, by select- 

 ing and comprising them in a volume, except in a few instan- 

 ces. 



One object of the following essays is to explain some of the 

 fundamental principles, which relate to agricultural science. 

 Another, and perhaps not the least important one, is to awakea 

 a spirit of ^nquiry, and invite the attention of our citizens t* 

 those pursuits, which are indispensable in the attainment of ag- 

 ricultural improvements. 



In every part of the civilized world it has happened that the 

 disposition to consider the business of agriculture as a mere 

 menial employment, suited only to the lowest class in society, 

 or to slaves, has been in proport.on to the progress of science, 

 and the arts of civil refinement. The indulgence of this dispo- 

 sition is too conspicuous in the character of our citizens. But 

 it is hoped and believed by many, that a different tendency 



I^OM^^ 



