INTRODUCTION. IX 



want of a systematical arrangement is a matter of no great conse- 

 quence. Oil the present plan, he has saved himself the trou- 

 ble of writing a long index, which must have added several 

 pages to the volume, and increased its price to the purchasers, 

 which he wishes may be as low as possible, for their encour- 

 agement. Perhaps it need not be added, that the fashiona- 

 bleness of an alphabetical method is a further apology for the 

 form in which this book appears ; nor the advantage the most 

 illiterate reader will have of readily turning to any particular 

 part of the general subject. 



It is hoped that an acquaintance with this volume, if it 

 should be perused by the generality of our farmers, will enable 

 them to communicate their ideas to each other, and to learners 

 in husbandry, with the greater perspicuity and propriety, and 

 lead theni to use nearly the same language in doing it, in the 

 Various parts of the country. For the writer has endeavoured 

 that his diction should not only be concise, but plain and intel- 

 ligible to ordinary readers ; such as is most suitable to the sub- 

 ject, and not adapted to lead any into the use of absurd and un- 

 grammatical language. How far these designs are accomplish- 

 ed the learned and judicious reader will be able to determine. 



As a number of vulgar errors and prejudices are detected, 

 and new methods of management proposed, it is expected that 

 what is written will be censured by many, who have confirmed 

 themselves in wrong practices by inveterate habits. But if 

 persons will only be so fair as to allow, that there is a possibi]i» 

 ty of some want of perfection in their present established prac- 

 tice ; which is at least highly probable, as this is a country 

 where husbandry as an art has not been taught, nor much at- 

 tended to; they will tl:|en see it is reasonable to give a candid 

 hearing to any new scheme of improvement suggested, and to 

 plausible arguments offered in support of its utility ; and allow 

 themselves to be influenced by them. If those who are in low 

 circumstances should fear they may sutler loss, by trying any 

 new practice in husbandry, it is hoped the richer sort will be 

 inclined to do it by love of their country. For others will 

 undoubtedly inquire concerning their success; and when they 

 are convinced by experiments made by their neighbours of the 

 advantage of any new practice, one would think they can need 

 no other motive to induce them to adopt it. 



On the other hand, let not the book be reprobated for con- 

 taining so many things as it does, which are already well known 

 to farmers. The farmer may find reasons for his good practice 

 which he has not before thought of, and be induced to per- 

 severe in it. And besides, all useful knowledge ought to be re 



