IV 



future time, to correct its errors, and supply the deficiencies of proof, from the 

 fruits of subsequent practice and observation. With these views, this essay was 

 commenced and finished in 1826. But the work had so grown on my hands, that 

 instead of being of a size suitable for insertion in an agricultural journal, it 

 would have filled a volume. The unwillingness to assume so conspicuous a j)0- 

 sition as the publication in that form would have required, and the fear that my 

 work would be more likely to meet with neglect cr censure than applause, in- 

 duced me to lay it aside, and to give up all intention of publication. Since that 

 time, the use of fossil shells as manure has greatly increased, in ray own 

 neighborhood and elsewhere, and has been attended generally with all the im- 

 provement and profit that was expected. But from paying no regard to the theory 

 of the operation of this manure, and from noi taking warninj; from the known 

 errors and losses of myself as well as others, most persons have used it injudi- 

 ciously, and have damaged more or less of their lands. So many disasters of 

 this kind seemed likely to restrain the use of this valuable manure, and even to 

 destroy its repu'ation, just as it was beginning rapidly to extend. This addi- 

 tional consideration has at last induced me to risk the publication of this essay. 

 The experience of five more years, since it was written, has not contradicted 

 any of the opinions then advanced— and no change has been made in the work, 

 except in lorm, and by continuing the reports of experiments to ihe present time. 



It should be remembered that my attempt to convey instruction is confined to 

 a single means of improving our lands, and increasing our profits ; and though 

 many oiher operations are, from necessiiy, incidentally noticed, my opinions or 

 practices on such objects are not referred to as furnishing rules for good hus- 

 bandry. In using calcareous manure for the improvement of poor soils, my la- 

 bors have been highly successful; but that success is not necessarily accompanied 

 by general good management and economy. To those who know me intimately, 

 it would be unnecessary to confess the small pretensions that I have to the cha- 

 racter of a good farmer; but to others it may be required, for the purpose of 

 explaining why other improvements and practices of good hus'bandry have not 

 more aided, and kept pace with, the effects of my use of calcareous manures. 



E. R. 



Prince George county, Virginia, January 20th, 1832. 



PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION. 



When the first edition of this essay was published, it met with a reception 

 far more favorable, and a demand from purchasers much greater, than the 

 author's anticipations had reached ; ant! it is merely in accordance with the con- 

 current testimony of the many agriculturists who have since expressed and pub- 

 lished opinions on the subject, to say that the publication has already had great 

 and valuable eH'ects in directing attention, and inducing successful eflorts, to the 

 improvement of land by calcareous manures. Experimental knowledge on this 

 head has probably been more than doubled within the last two years ; and the 

 narrow limits of the region within which marling had previously been confined, 

 have been enlarged to perhaps len-fold their former extent. Still, the circum- 

 stances now existing, however changed for the better, present a mere beginning 

 of the immense and valuable improvements of soil, and increase of profits, that 

 must liereafter grow out of the use of calcareous manures, if their operation is 

 properly understood by those who apply them. But if used without that knoAV- 

 ledge, their great value will certainly not be found ; and indeed, they will often 

 cause more loss than profit. It is therefore not so important to the farmers of our 

 country at large to be convinced of the general and great value of calcareous 

 manures — and to those in the great Atlantic tide-water region to know the newly 

 established truth, that their beds of fossil shells furnish the best and cheapest of 

 manures— as it is, that all should know in what manner, and by what general 

 laws, these manures operate— how xhey produce benefit, and when they may be 



