PREFACE. 





The subject of Agriculture admits of two grand divisions; the improvement and 

 general management of landed property, which may be termed Territorial Economy ; and 

 the cultivation and treatment of its more useful animal and vegetable productions, which 

 are called Husbandry, or Agriculture in a more limited sense of the term. Numerous as 

 have been the publications on rural matters during the last twenty years, there are but 

 two or three of them whose titles might lead to a supposition that they embraced both 

 of these departments. That none of them did embrace both, however, previously to the 

 appearance of this Encyclopaedia, may be confidently affirmed. 



This work, which is tenned an Encyclopedia of Agriculture, on account of its superior 

 comprehensiveness, though in part an original composition from the author's practical 

 experience and observation, is yet chiefly a compilation from books. It professes to 

 embrace every part of the subject; and, what has never hitherto been attempted, to give 

 a general History of Agriculture in all countries ; and a condensed survey of its present 

 state in every county of the British Isles. A systematic arrangement is adopted as by 

 far the best for instruction, and also as best admitting of compression. At the same 

 time, a copious General Index is supplied, to render the whole work of the easiest access 

 as a book of reference. So much information as is here given could only be com- 

 pressed into one volume by the use of a very small type, and by the liberal employment 

 of engravings. By means of the latter, much verbal description is avoided ; a know- 

 ledge of implements and operations is more forcibly conveyed to the reader; and such a 

 body of useful matter is brought together, as, by the system of detached copper-plate 

 engravings, and ordinary letter-press, would have occupied half a dozen volumes. 



Throughout this work, we have kept in view the following objects: in Part I., to 

 depict what may be termed Universal Agriculture, by giving a historical view of that 

 of all countries ; in Part II., to exhibit the principles on which the operations and results 

 of the Agriculture of all countries are founded ; and, in Parts III. and IV., to apply 

 these principles to that particular Agriculture which is practised in Britain, and adapted 

 to similar climates. In pursuing these objects, we have aimed at language sufficiently 

 free from provincial or obscure technology to be understood by all classes of readers. 

 In describing the Agriculture of Britain, we have held up to view that of the northern 

 counties of Northumberland, Berwickshire, and East Lothian, as examples, in most 

 things, to the other parts of the empire. In addressing landlords, superior agents, 

 valuers of land, and patrons, we have pointed out the advantages of equitable and liberal 

 conduct to their tenants and dependants : in discussing the duties of land stewards, 

 bailiffs, and other serving agriculturists, we have recommended habits of order, vigilance, 

 and economy : and, finally, we have submitted to all classes of readers, the advantages of 

 enlightening the minds and ameliorating the condition of the working classes of rural 

 society, by facilitating the attainment of instruction ; by pointing out the evils of their 

 entering too early into the marriage state ; by increasing the comfort and improving the 

 appearance of their cottages and gardens ; and, especially, by repaying the labour of 

 farm servants to a certain extent in productions calculated for their chief support. 

 (See § 7834. 7862. and §7953. to 7980.) For, in our opinion, the main comfort of 

 all those engaged in agriculture as a profession, from the labourer to the gentleman 

 farmer, will ever consist more in the possession wit/tin themselves of the essential means of 

 comfortable existence, than in the power of accumulating fortunes, such as manufacturers 

 and commercial men frequently acquire. 



As much of the value of a work of this kind will depend on the knowledge it con- 

 veys of the modern improvements in implements and buildings, particular attention has 

 been paid to these subjects. Many of the latest improvements in implements and 

 buildings have not found their way into any books, and for them we have had recourse 

 to the originals, and to the most eminent agricultural mechanics and manufactui ers of 

 implements. Our thanks, in this respect, are particularly due to the proprietors of Weir's 

 Agricultural Repository, Oxford Street, London, for permitting us to take sketches 

 from iheir extensive collection, and more particularly of those implements and machines 

 which the late Mr. Weir invented or greatly improved. Our best thanks are also due 

 to Mr. Morton, Leith Walk, Edinburgh, who is equally eminent as an agricultural 

 mechanist in Scotland; to Messrs. Cottam and Hallen, of Winsley Street, Oxford 

 Street, manufacturers of agricultural implements and machines in iron ; and to Mr. 

 Wilkie, ot Uddistone, near Glasgow, a scientific mechanist, and an eminent manufacturer 



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