INTRODUCTION. V 



practices of other countries, and to compare them with 

 those at home ; and, above all, to be himself a farmer, 

 and that on a great scale. These requisites have not 

 been wanting on the present occasion. 



With these aids, the Author was induced to think, 

 that he might venture to draw up " A Code of Agri- 

 " culture," and to hope, that by compressing the sub- 

 stance of the information which had thus been amassed, 

 into a small compass, he might render it generally at- 

 tainable. The first edition of the work was printed in 

 1819. Two additional impressions of it have since been 

 published in this country, and one in America. A fifth 

 in English, with considerable additions and improve- 

 ments, is now submitted to the consideration of the 

 public. In preparing this edition for the press, advan- 

 tage has been taken, of several observations transmitted 

 in the communications of foreign authors, or contain- 

 ed in the French, German, and Danish translations, 

 by which means, the doctrines contained in the work, 

 are rendered more applicable to the state of foreign 

 countries, and may become more extensively useful. 



In drawing up the original edition, the following 

 plan occurred to the Author as the simplest, and the 

 most comprehensive that he could devise j and he has 

 not since found reason for making any alteration in it. 



I. To consider those " Preliminary points" which a far- 

 mer ought to ascertain, before he can with propriety under- 

 take to occupy any considerable extent of land : in particu- 

 lar, the Climate ; Soil ; Subsoil ; Elevation ; Aspect ; 

 Situation ; Tenure, (whether in property or on lease) ; 

 Rent ; Assessments on, and Size of the Farm. 



II. To inquire into " the means which are the most essen- 

 " tial to insure the success of a farmer " namely, Capital ; 

 Regular Accounts ; Arrangement of Agricultural Labour ; 

 Farm Servants ; Labourers in Husbandry; Live Stock; 

 Implements ; Agricultural Buildings ; Command of 

 Water ; Divisions of fields ; and Farm Roads. 



III. To point out " the various modes of improving land ;" 



