UNIVERSITY 



OF 



INTRODUCTION. 



AGRICULTURE is defined by Mr. Kirwan to 

 be "the art of making the earth produce the 

 largest crops of useful vegetables at the smallest 

 expense ;" but this conveys only a contracted 

 and partial idea of that which must be compre- 

 hended in the science of husbandry. Vegeta- 

 bles, and animals which feed on vegetables, con- 

 stitute that produce of the earth which is essen- 

 tial to the existence, and requisite to the com- 

 forts, of mankind. The art of husbandry is, no 

 doubt, simple, if it be considered as limited to 

 manual operations only ; but the science of hus- 

 bandry or agriculture is more properly, a know- 

 ledge of the laws of nature which determine 

 the existence of both animals and vegetables, 

 and particularly of those, which influence and 

 govern them in their sexual intercourse and pro- 

 pagation, and also in their feeding, lodging, &c. 



