V1U INTRODUCTION. 



Breeding, technically defined, is restricted to the produc- 

 tion of choice animals for use as future breeders, by the judi- 

 cious selection and crossing of the best specimens of the vari- 

 ous distinct breeds of domestic stock. 



Horticulture embraces the entire department of garden- 

 ing, the cultivation of trees, shrubbery, and fruits ; and these 

 occupations are again variously subdivided. 



By Planting (or the occupation of planters), is under- 

 stood the cultivation of extensive farms or plantations, for 

 the exclusive production of one or more commercial staples, 

 such as cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, indigo, &c., and their 

 preparation for a distant market. The term is peculiarly 

 sectional, and its use so far as adopted in this country, is 

 limited to the southern portion of it. 



All of the foregoing and various other occupations con- 

 nected with the cultivation of the earth, are comprehended 

 under the general head of Agriculture. 



Besides the varied practical knowledge which is indis- 

 pensable to the proper management of every department of 

 agriculture, its general principles and theoretical relations 

 require a familiarity with the elements of History, Geology, 

 Meteorology, Chemistry, Botany, Entomology, Anatomy, 

 Zoology, Animal and Vegetable Physiology, and Mechan- 

 ics ; and in their ultimate connection, they involve no incon- 

 siderable share of the entire circle of human knowledge and 

 science. 



In view of its intricacy, its magnitude, and its importance 

 to the human race, we cannot fail to be struck with the 

 peculiar wisdom of Deity in assigning to man this occupa- 

 tion, when a far-seeing and vigorous intellect fitted him to 

 scan with unerring certainty and precision, the visible works 

 of his Creator, and trace their causes and effects through all 

 their varied relations. It was while in the sinless perfection 

 of his original nature, when " the Lord God put him into 



