'>0 INTRODCJCTION. 



accomplishments or learning — but one versed in the business 

 he writes upon. It is thus that we have books by the best 

 men in all the departments. These make our literature — and 

 to be opposed to them, is to be arrayed against knowledge, 

 against schools and newspapers. "What is thought of the man 

 who opposes education ? And what is education, but to learn 

 to know a thing? If the prejudiced reader, (prejudiced against 

 book farming,) knows how to trim his vine, he is the man, if he 

 has words 'for it, to write a book on the subject — the very man 

 we want, for we are after facts, after the best mode. And yet 

 this would be called 'book farming.' It is mere prejudice, 

 depend upon it." 



It is one of the most striking and encouraging signs of the 

 present period, in the history of Agriculture, that it has been 

 able to call the highest talent to its aid, and that men of science, 

 m all departments, have devoted their lives to investigations 

 designed to promote its progress. We can remember the time 

 when even farmers themselves were quite indifferent to the 

 assistance which scientific investigations could offer them. All 

 improvements were regarded merely as innovations, and were 

 looked upon with distrust, not to say contempt. Farm work 

 was done in the old customary way, or if any change was made, 

 it was only with a vague hope of gain. No sound principle 

 was followed in either case. 



Happily, those days have parsed. Men of the hightest at- 

 tainments in science now vie with each other in their efforts 

 for the advancement of agriculture, and the practical farmer i.« 

 ready and anxious to avail himself of their teachings. Me 

 chanical ingenuity, too, has brought its tribute in the form of 

 newly invented machines of inestimable value. Progress has 

 fairly begun, and it must continue as long as the mind of man 

 can devise and his hand can execute. 



