vi PREFACE. 



of sustenance, some rough-and-ready control of vegetation 

 appears as the next step in the direction of regular supplies of 

 food, and Agriculture emerges from the shadow of the forest, 

 or descends from the mountain slopes to take possession of the 

 plain. Cain was a tiller of the ground before Tubal Cain be- 

 came an instructor of artificers in brass and iron, and the two 

 branches of grazing and tillage were twin-born. 



Agriculture seems to have always been the recipient of 

 benefits from both art and science, but has preserved her 

 individuality throughout. She has hoarded up maxims, 

 perfected processes, improved her products, and adapted her- 

 self to all descriptions of soil and climate. She has subjugated 

 animals, and modified their forms, habits, and aptitudes. She 

 has invented implements, contrived rotations, and discovered 

 fertilizers. She is the mother of Horticulture. Those who 

 would study the principles of Agriculture must learn her 

 maxims, become familiar with her processes and products, 

 and master her variations ; they must be familiar with her 

 implements, courses of cropping, fertilizers, and methods ; they 

 must to some extent be able to exercise sound judgment 

 upon her ways, and offer their share of suggestion. It is this 

 broad knowledge of agriculture which it is my object to 

 inculcate. I have endeavoured to show that agriculture is in 

 itself a large and varied subject, not to be mastered in the 

 laboratory or the lecture-room, but rather in the field and 

 in the fold; that the Professor of agriculture must be a 

 Professor of farming as well as an adept at science; and 

 that he must never fail in his allegiance, or forget that he is 



