PREFACE 



The American people have definitely decided that the public 

 schools shall teach pupils to think and to do ; that, so far as is 

 consistent with a reasonably liberal culture, the training of the 

 student shall relate intimately to the life he expects to lead. 



For a century and a half agriculture has been regarded by 

 a few of the foremost educators as worthy of a place in our 

 public schools, but it is only within the last decade that the 

 dream of these educators has approached realization. Agricul- 

 ture, wherever well taught, has proved to be a source of strength 

 to the school, whether a one-teacher country school, a high 

 school, a college, or a university. 



In no way is it possible for the school to serve the local com- 

 munity more successfully than through instruction in agricul- 

 ture. This may be best accomplished through the utilization of 

 the facilities of the neighborhood as a laboratory. The gardens, 

 orchards, and farms, and, indeed, the gardeners and farmers 

 themselves, should be utilized to the fullest, extent. By this 

 means the school and the community are brought into the 

 closest relations, and there is awakened among the farmers a 

 lively interest in the work of the school. 



If the farmer is to support properly his own family and the 

 two town families for whom he must provide food, he will need 

 all the help that science can give. The way the two families in 

 town will live is definitely related to the degree of skill with which 

 the farmer tills his land and the degree of intelligence which the 

 townspeople display in utilizing the farmer's products. 



This book is for students who desire a practical working 

 knowledge of the essentials of agriculture. The author has 

 tried to present a clear statement of the principles underlying 

 successful farm practice and to give a view of what the 



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