AND DEDICATION. IX 



Then, under such convictions, ought I 

 to fear being censured as obtrusive and 

 presuming, in thus offering myself to the 

 public ? I know, among the practical agri- 

 culturists, it is a prevailing opinion, that 

 no good arises from attending to theorists. 

 To these I will beg leave to observe, that 

 however repeatedly they may have been 

 misled by theory, they cannot be justified 

 in opposing or neglecting science; for whilst 

 ignorant of this, they are mere imitators, 

 and can never be masters of their business. 

 And surely, the nobility and gentry, will 

 not consider a correct knowledge of the 

 relation of effects to their causes, as it 

 regards objects which are not only essential 

 to their happiness, but to their existence, 

 to be beneath their notice ? 



I trust the British public will not con- 

 sider me unworthy their attention, be- 

 cause I have no great man, or body of men, 

 to patronise my work. At any rate, when 

 they consider the result of my having op- 

 posed the theories of a great man in my 

 former work, they will, perhaps, excuse 



