TO THE READER. 



The Model Farms and Tmeir Methods has been written and 

 compiled as a Common-sense Hand-book for Farmers; and, while 

 numerous and useful books have been published on the different 

 branches of agriculture, it is obvious that the plan of this book 

 is ENTIRELY NEW. It must be admitted, too, that the book itself 

 is thoroughly practical and useful. 



Observation of different " methods " in any branch of business, 

 and interchange of thought among practical men, lead to the best 

 results. The object of the book is to place before its readers only 

 the approved and the best "methods" in Husbandry. No theorizing 

 is given, every article being a clear statement of some system which 

 has been thoroughly tested and found valuable in the experiences 

 OF OVER ONE HUNDRED FARMERS in different parts of the country. 

 Not a line of matter in the book is selected or culled, every article 

 having been originally prepared for it by the contributor whose 

 name appears as such. 



No pretension to literary merit is made, the "methods" being 

 described in the language used by the narrator, so as to be easily 

 understood by practical men. No article has been changed to 

 adapt itself to the notions of the editor, or to the theories of any 

 person. Nor do we hold ourselves responsible for the differences 

 in these " methods," as they are from the pens of men of varied 

 experience. 



The editor has been impartial as to the implements used, the 

 stock recommended, and the methods described, as they are all 

 from the actual experience of contributors; and the character of 



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