EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION 



The following work is submitted to the agric ultural public in the 

 fullest confidence that it stands in need of no recommendatory 

 strictures on the part of those who have undertaken to present it in 

 its present form to the English agriculturist. In the person of its 

 distinguished author the man of science is happily associated with 

 the practical farmer — the accomplished naturalist, the profound 

 chemist and natural philosopher. The friend and fellow-laborer of 

 Arago, Biot, Dumas, and all the leading minds of his age and coun- 

 try — M. Boussingault's title to consideration is recognised wher- 

 ever letters and civilization have extended their influence. 



Surely the collected and carefully recorded experience of such a 

 man, experience by which the conclusions of the member of the In- 

 stitute have been tested and weighed by the results of the farmer 

 of Bechelbronn^ must have value in the estimation of every educated 

 mind, and cannot fail to be especially welcome to that class of 

 readers who are professionally engaged in the practical application 

 of that noble science which his labors have contributed to illustrate 

 and advance. 



When the following pages were confided to the editor, it was the 

 impression both of the publisher and himself, that in the course of the 

 work many points would necessarily arise demanding elucidation, 

 others calculated to provoke controversy or challenge investigation, 

 and others again which could be rendered available or instructive 

 to the British agriculturist only by means of copious explanation, 

 showing with what modification and under what circumstances the 

 views advanced might be applicable to the art as exercised in the 

 climate and soil of this country. But the minute and analytical 

 perusal indispensable in the operation of investing the Author's 

 thoughts and expressions with an English garb, has demonstrated 

 the fallacy of this impression, and if possible has augmented the 

 admiration of the untiring patience, the vast experience, and the as- 

 tute, circumstantial, and elaborate accuracy of the accomplished 

 Author, in whose researches the reader will find the profoundest 

 sagacity, combined with a childlike simplicity which communicates 

 to his work a charm n*ot necessarily inherent in the subject. 



This is not in*'-^nded to imply an unqualified approval of the illus- 

 trious philosopher's manner of dealing with his own facts and obser 



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