10 A JUSTIFICATION 



to be one of the books that shall be " chewed and 

 digested, " for the subject treated is the very 

 foundation of the fabric of our society, as the 

 stability and progress of our every institution and 

 business depends upon the prosperity of the busi- 

 ness of farming. 



When God, in the beginning of the world, made 

 farming the first business, He gave it a setting not 

 given to any other business. He gave as its 

 foundation a soil full of the mystery of plant and 

 microscopical life, where His wonders are revealed 

 to a greater extent than in the incomprehensible 

 magnitude of the region of the stars. And there 

 springs from this soil the plant and tree growth 

 producing the myriads of products of varied hue 

 that delight the senses and sustain the life of 

 man. 



All manner of animal and bird life is about 

 to contribute to the farmer's enjoyment and use 

 in a thousand ways. 



The seasons were created and set in perpetual 

 motion that seed time and harvest might come at 

 certain appointed times. The clouds, the rain 

 and sunshine come also in their appointed place, 

 assuring us of God's promise that seed time and 

 harvest shall never fail. 



Over and about the business of farming God 

 has set the open sky so wonderfully mystifying 

 to the mind, and delightful to the eye, and the 

 birds of beautiful and somber plumage, so full of 

 song, that cheer and delight the soul. Spring with 

 its awakened life, Summer with its growth in full 

 swing, Autumn with its maturity and incompar- 

 able coloring, and Winter with its sleeping life 



