PREFACE. V 



which the knowledge of the principles of agriculture is founded, 

 which is not as easily comprehended as any of the ideas of 

 history. Which, for example, is easier for a child to comprehend, 

 oxygen and its action, or civil government, nitrogen or confed 

 eration, carbon or a league, phosphorus or the reformation? 

 Which will a child be most likely to understand and be 

 interested in, the little root and seed leaves of a plant just 

 up, and the future plant rising between them, or a convocation 

 of ambassadors to consider the Edict of Nantes, or a plenipo 

 tentiary to protest against the Solemn League and Covenant ? 



So far is a knowledge of the powers which are in operation in 

 nature, the action of heat and light, and the causes of wind 

 and rain, with their effects upon the vegetable kingdom, from 

 being difficult, it is that which every sensible child instinctively 

 longs for and delights in ; and as to its being speculative, it is the 

 only knowledge which is absolutely sure to be useful to every 

 person who obtains it. 



An essential part of good education is admitted to be the dis 

 cipline of the faculties. The faculties which come earliest into 

 play, are suited to observe and learn the facts presented in 

 nature. These facts and objects are, therefore, the proper, 

 natural study of the earliest years of children. 



We would, therefore, gladly make a knowledge of the 

 principles which underlie an intelligent understanding of the 

 art of agriculture, the basis of education, especially for all those 

 who are destined to the happy fortunes of living in the country. 

 And who is there, that has ever lived in the country, who does 

 not hope, some day or other, to live on his own farm or among 

 the farms of his friends, in the midst of the things which God has 

 made? 



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