PREFACE TO THE EDITION OP 1832. vii 



obscure the reasoning of an unpractised writer. Treatises on agriculture 

 ought to be so written as to be clearly understood, though it should be at 

 the expense of some other requisites of good writing ; and, in this respect, 

 I shall be satisfied if I succeed in making my opinions intelligible to every 

 reader, though many might well dispense with such particular explanations. 

 Agricultural works are seldom considered as requiring very close attention ; 

 and therefore, to be made useful, they should be put in a shape suited to 

 cursory and irregular reading. A truth may be clearly established but 

 if its important consequences cannot be regularly deduced for many pages 

 afterwards, the premises will then probably have been forgotten, so that a 

 very particular reference to them may be required. These considerations 

 must serve as my apology for some repetitions and for minute explana- 

 tions and details, which some readers may deem unnecessary. 



The theoretical opinions supported in this Essay, together with my earliest 

 experiments with calcareous manures, were published in the "American Far- 

 mer" (vol. iii. page 313), in 1821. No reason has since induced me to retract 

 any of the important positions then assumed. But the many imperfections 

 in that publication, which grew out of my want of experience, made it my 

 duty, at some future time, to correct its errors, and supply the deficiencies 

 of proof, from the fruits of subsequent practice and observation. With 

 these views, this Essay was commenced and finished in 1826. But the 

 work had so grown on my hands, that instead of being of a size suitable 

 for insertion in an agricultural journal, it would have filled a volume. The 

 unwillingness to assume so conspicuous a position as the publication in 

 that form would have required, and the fear that my work would be more 

 likely to meet with neglect or censure than applause, induced me to lay it 

 aside, and to give up all intention of publication. Since that time, the use 

 of fossil shells as manure has greatly increased, in my own neighbourhood 

 and elsewhere, and has been attended generally with all the improvement 

 and profit that was expected. But from paying no regard to the theory of 

 the operation of this manure, and from not taking warning from the 

 errors and losses of myself as well as others, most persons have operated in- 

 judiciously, and have damaged more or less of their lands. So many dis- 

 asters of this kind seemed likely to restrain the use of this valuable ma- 

 nure, and even to destroy its reputation, just as it was beginning rapidly 

 to be extended. This additional consideration has at last induced me to 

 risk the publication of this Essay. The experience of five more years, 

 Bince it was written, has not contradicted anj- of the opinions then ad- 

 vanced and no change has been made in the work, except in form, and by 

 continuing the reports of experiments to the present time. 



It should be remembered that my attempt to convey instruction is con- 

 fined to a single means of improving our lands, and increasing our profits ; 

 and though many other operations are, from necessity, incidentally noticed, 

 my opinions or practices on such subjects are not referred to as furnishing 

 rules for good husbandry. In using calcareous manure for the improve- 

 ment of poor soils, my labours have been highly successful ; but that suc- 

 cess is not necessarily accompanied by general good management and 

 economy. To those who know me intimately, it would be unnecessary to 

 confess the small pretensions that I have to the character of a good farmer ; 

 but to others it may be required, for the purpose of explaining why other 

 improvements and practices of good husbandry have not more aided, and 

 kept pace with, the eifects of my use of calcareous manures. E. R 



Prince George county, Virginia, January 20th, 1832. 



