PREFACE 



or 



THE AMERICAN EDITOR. 



THE Farmers* Encyclopedia , as originally published in England, contained 

 much matter not particularly interesting to those living on the western side of 

 the Atlantic. In the American edition, the localisms and irrelevant portions 

 have been supplanted by the introduction of much information more immediately 

 relating to rural affairs in the United States. In effecting these alterations, the 

 matter introduced by the American editor amounts to about thirty per cent., all 

 of which has been derived from the best sources of intelligence. The main ob- 

 jects which interest the American farmer, such as cattle, and the great crops of 

 maize, cotton, tobacco, hemp, and other staples of the north and south, have 

 received the most particular attention. 



In treating of farm-stock, implements, &c., the editor has had no individual 

 interests to serve, and no prejudices to bias him. He has, therefore, doubtless, 

 often failed to say all that partiality or predilection might have dictated in particular 

 cases, and the discussion of the relative merits or demerits of contested agricultural 

 subjects he has left to be carried on in the most appropriate places, namely, the 

 pages of the numerous excellent periodical publications, industriously employed 

 in diffusing the lights of agricultural science through every part of the Union. 

 To many of these the editor is deeply indebted for most valuable information, the 

 particular sources of which he has been careful to acknowledge in the proper 

 places. A volume filled with so much instruction upon agricultural and rural 

 affairs as will be found condensed in this Encyclopedia, cannot fail to be wel- 

 come to all parts of the United States in which the general diffusion of education 

 has created a thirst for the best information. 



On announcing the work, the American publishers engaged to give sixteen 

 numbers of sixty-four pages each. This promise they have more than fulfilled. 

 The book will be found to comprise 1173, instead of 1024 pages. 



Ill ^ fe 



Pasture 



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