IV PREFACE. 



leave the mark of improvement on the work of the farm. The 

 labor of the farmer is thus elevated. What has always been 

 claimed by a few, will soon be acknowledged by all, that the 

 prosperity of a country depends upon the intelligent cultivation 

 of the soil. 



In this land of schools, where evei'y child can have an educa- 

 tion, knowledge is easily disseminated. Improved methods of 

 culture can be spread broadcast over the land by means of books 

 and paper-s. For these reasons American farmers are more 

 intelligent than the same class in any other country. . Few- 

 farmers are now so ignorant as to scoff at agricultural informa- 

 tion. They desire it, and welcome it. The trouble has been 

 and is, that it is not given them in a form adapted to their wants. 

 There have been many technical and scientific works, containing 

 most valuable information, but in language not readily under 

 stood. These works are very largel}" theoretical, and the practical 

 is not so distinctly separated as to be easily applied. 



The3^ have performed a noble service, for without the informa- 

 tion they have contained, but little advance would have been 

 made. 



The agricultural papers come down more nearly to the wants 

 of the farmer, and we advise every farmer to take some agricul- 

 tural paper. They furnish many useful hints and valuable 

 suggestions, and serve to interest the younger members of the 

 family in the labors of the farm. But agricultural papers are not 

 wholly satisfactory. Of course, each number can refer to only a 

 limited variety of subjects, and a farmer may take the paper foi 

 years before he gets information upon the very subject ne wishes 

 most to know about. Again, much that is in these papers is 

 crude. Many theories are given that have not been sufficiently 

 tried, and must be received with the greatest caution. The records 

 of carefully conducted experiments are the most valuable part of 

 these papers, if the farmer has the wisdom and patience to study 

 them, and apply their principles to his practice. 



