PREFACE 



This book was prepared from notes used in giving 

 instruction to classes in the Agricultural High School 

 of secondary grade of the University of Minnesota. 

 The students were nearly all from farm homes and nearly 

 all expected to return to the country to live. Their needs, 

 and the point of view in compiling this book, are those 

 of the common farmer. In editing these notes an effort 

 has been made to adapt the text to the agricultural high 

 school, to the consolidated rural and village school, and 

 even to advanced classes in the rural district school, and 

 to the needs of 'the farmer's home library. Since no 

 attempt is here made more than to introduce the several 

 subjects, the farmer or pupil reading this book who 

 wishes to pursue the subject in detail should seek advice 

 of the State agricultural college and the Department of 

 Agriculture as to the best up-to-date available literature 

 published by public and private agencies. 



The chapters dealing with rural engineering are designed 

 to give to the farmer a general explanation of drainage, 

 road making, etc., for his own use rather than to train him 

 for service in engineering. The engineer's point of view 

 is only incidental, and the rural engineer's interest will 

 be mainly confined to the practical suggestions. Very 

 helpful aid in revising the manuscript has been rendered 

 by my associates, Messrs. Andrew Boss, C. P. Bull, John 

 Thompson, William G. Smith, John G. Haney, E. C. 

 Parker, H. H. Mowry and Maurice O. "Eldridge. 



W.M. HAYS. 



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