Vi PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1832. 



however since amplified in expression or varied in form, these 

 same positions, more concisely worded, were all embraced in the 

 earlier edition of 1821 (in the " American Farmer"), and, as was 

 before stated, the main points of these opinions were also set forth 

 in the earlier communication of 1818. E. R. 



MARLBOURNE, HANOVER, VA., August, 1852. 



PREFACE TO THE EDITION OF 1832. 



,THE object of this Essay is to investigate the peculiar features and 

 qualities of the soils of our tide-water district, to show the causes of their 

 general unproductiveness, and to point out means, as yet but little used, 

 for their effectual and profitable improvement. My observations are par- 

 ticularly addressed to the cultivators of that part of Virginia which lies 

 between the sea eoast and the falls of the rivers, and are generally in- 

 tended to be applied only within those limits. By thus confining the appli- 

 cation of the opinions which will be maintained, it is not intended to deny 

 the propriety of their being farther extended. On the contrary, I do not 

 doubt that they may correctly apply to all similar soils, under similar cir- 

 cumstances ; for the operations of Nature are directed by uniform laws, 

 and like causes must everywhere produce like effects. But as I shall rely 

 for proofs on such facts as are either sufficiently well known already, or 

 may easily be tested by any inquirer, I do not choose to extend my ground 

 BO far as to be opposed by the assertion of other facts, the truth of which 

 can neither be established nor Overthrown by any available or sufficient 

 testimony. 



The peculiar qualities of our soils have been little noticed, and the causes 

 of those peculiarities have never been sought ; and though new and valua- 

 ble truths may await the first explorers of this opening for agricultural 

 research, yet they can scarcely avoid mistakes sufficiently numerous to 

 moderate the triumph of success. I am not blind to the difficulties of the 

 investigation, nor to my own unfitness to overcome them ; nor should I 

 have hazarded the attempt, but for the belief that such an investigation is 

 all-important for the improvement of our soil and agriculture, arid that it 

 was in vain to hope that it would be undertaken by those who were better 

 qualified to do justice to the subject. I ask a deliberate hearing, and a 

 strict scrutiny of my opinions, from those most interested in their truth. 

 If a change, in most of our lands, from hopeless sterility to a high state 

 of productiveness, is a vain fancy, it will be easy to discover and expose 

 the fallacy of my views ; but if these views are well founded, none deserve 

 better the attention of farmers, and nothing can more seriously affect the 

 future agricultural prosperity of our country. No where ought such im- 

 provements to be more highly valued, or more eagerly sought, than among 

 us, where so many causes have concurred to reduce our products, and the 

 prices of our lands, to the lowest state, and are yearly extending want, and 

 its consequence, ignorance, among the cultivators and proprietors. 



In pursuing this inquiry, it will be necessary to show the truth of vari- 

 ous facts and opinions which as yet are unsupported by authority, and 

 most of which have scarcely been noticed by agricultural writers, unless to 

 be denied. The number of proofs that will be required, and the discursive 

 course through which they must be reached, may probably render more 



