5 



TO THE HEADER. 



^Thc authorj in submitting this MANUAL OF AGRICULTURE 

 to the people of the Southern States, hopes to meet the almost 

 Universal desire for information upon' the subject of which it 

 treats. It is due to the public, that the author should distinctly 

 state, that the facts, illustrations, experiments > and information 

 herein contained, have been drawn from the most recent and 

 reliable authorities, and from his own experience as a farmer. 

 Credit is given in the introduction to the authorities quoted, 

 and, also, to some extent, in the body of the book, Not being 

 satisfied with the best written authority, the author submitted 

 his manuscript to the inspection of Dr, E, ~W. HILGARD, 

 Professor of Chemistry at the University of Mississippi, and 

 late Geologist for the State of Mississippi, for revision and 

 correction with what result the accompanying Jitter testifies : 



UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI, OXFORD Miss., October 29, 1869. 

 MA*. E. G. WALLJ 



Dear Sir I have perused With much pleasure the manuscript of your 

 FARMER'S MANUAL. Combining, as it does, sound theory with correct 

 practice, it cannot fail to be eminently useful to the class for whom it is 

 designated the old-time planter, as well ns the new-comer, who never 

 eaw cotton, tobacco, or sweet potatoes, grow* It is high time that all 

 agriculturists should understand that they have as much need of 

 "using their brains," as you express it, as the carpenter, the masonj 

 or any other artisan; indeed, from the more varied nature of the 1 

 materials they work, the necessity for a full understanding of the object 

 of each agricultural operation, and the exercise of a discriminating 

 judgment, is even greater, if they would not be left behind in the race of 

 progress. I trust your little book will go far towards opening the eyes of 



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