PREFACE 



Industrial activity is tending to decentralize, 

 largely as the result of widespread power distri- 

 bution, and a home in the country accessible to 

 some form of manufacturing or business employ- 

 ment offers undeniable attractions. 



This book is prepared primarily for the family 

 that is inexperienced in country living and in 

 soil culture. Such a family should know about 

 the nature of the soil on which it lives, how to 

 make it serve the family's needs and purposes, 

 what to do, and what to avoid in order that 

 success may be attained and failure averted. 

 Students of agriculture as a vocation and 

 practical farmers may find, beyond the elemen- 

 tary facts presented, information of value and 

 help to them. To know and to understand the 

 science and practice of agriculture is to have 

 power to cope with and to enjoy soil culture 

 and animal husbandry. If this little volume 

 helps to answer clearly and definitely the many 

 inquiries that are in the minds of prospective 

 and active homesteaders, it will have served 

 its purpose. 



The knowledge of many practical people 

 and the resources of agricultural institutions and 

 agencies have been drawn upon for this book. 

 Grateful acknowledgment is made to those who 

 have contributed constructive criticism and 

 have helped in the preparation of material. 



