PREFACE. 



The following- brief compcncl of American Agriculture is 

 intended as one of the first in the series of lessons lor the 

 American Farmer. The size precludes its embracing any 

 thing beyond the shortest summary of the principles and 

 practice by which he should be guided, in the honorable 

 career he has selected. As a primary work, it is not desirable 

 it should comprise so much as to alarm the tyro in agriculture 

 with the magnitude of his subject. A concise and popular 

 exposition of the principal topics to which his attention will 

 necessarily be directed, will, it is believed, in connexion with 

 his own observation and practice, give him a taste for further 

 research, which will lead him to the fullest attainment in 

 agricultural knowledge, which could be expected from his 

 capacity and opportunities. 



Much of what is detailed in the present volume, has been 

 tested by the writer's own experience and observation. For 

 the remainder, he is indebted to various oral and written 

 information, derived from the best agriculturists, and especially 

 from the valuable foreign and domestic agricultural periodicals 

 of the present day. 



Whenever original authority could be known or recollected, 

 it has been credited ; but many even of the most recent 

 discoveries, have already passed through such numerous 

 hands, and received so many shades of alteration or improve- 

 ment, that their authors would hardly recognise their own 

 offspring. It would not be strange therefore, if they had 

 become incorporated in the mass of agricultural principles. 



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