AND DEDICATION. IX 



Then, under such convictions, ought I 

 to fear being censured as obtrusive and 

 presuming, in thus offering myself to the 

 public ? I know, among the practical agri- 

 culturists, it is a prevailing opinion, that 

 no good arises from attending to theorists. 

 To these I will beg leave to observe, that 

 however repeatedly they may have been 

 misled by theory, they cannot be justified 

 in opposing or neglecting science; for whilst 

 ignorant of this, they are mere imitators, 

 and can never be masters of their business. 

 And surely, the nobility and gentry, will 

 not consider a correct knowledge of the 

 relation of effects to their causes, as it 

 reg^'ds objects which are not only essential 

 to their happiness, but to their existence, 

 to be beneath their notice ? 



I trust the British public will not con- 

 sider me unworthy their attention, be- 

 cause I have no great man, or body of men, 

 to patronise my work. At any rate, when 

 they consider the result of my having op- 

 posed the theories of a great man in my 

 former work, they will, perhaps, excuse 



