INTRODUCTORY: 



There has long existed among practical farmers a preju- 

 dice against the application of science to practical agri- 

 culture, or, as they have been pleased to call it, "book 

 farming." This prejudice has not only retarded the pro- 

 gress of agriculture in the South, but has prevented far- 

 mers from seeking, through the medium of books and 

 agricultural journals, the information so necessary to the 

 most intelligent and profitable conduct of their peculiar 

 business. 



This prejudice has not only been to a large extent over- 

 come in Georgia, but there is a manifest thirst for a knowl- 

 edge of science as related to agriculture. There is a spirit 

 of inquiry among the farmers of Georgia, excited to some 

 extent by the publications of this Department, and mani- 

 fested in the multitude of inquiries being received at this 

 office, which renders the publication of the following work 

 not only appropriate, but almost a necessity. 



Empiricism has too long been the reproach of Southern 

 agriculture. 



It is the natural outgrowth of the necessary isolation of 

 the owners of large landed estates. 



There is no other occupation which naturally calls to its 

 aid so many of the sciences as does that of agriculture. 



Geology, mineralogy, chemistry, botany, zoology, me- 

 teorology, entomology, vegetable and animal physiology- 

 all the natural sciences reflect light upon agriculture as a 

 pursuit, and hence the relations of these sciences to agri- 

 culture constitute appropriate fields of study for those who 

 derive both pleasure and profit from the cultivation of the 

 soil. 



The farmer has to deal with soils and manures, with 

 plants and animals, with insect friends and enemies, with 

 temperature and moisture, and must use in his daily work 

 various mechanical appliances, both simple and compound. 

 The character, treatment, needs and mutual relations of all 



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