14 



in the extreme North-West of Europe, and proceeding through 

 part of northern, and then central, and southern Europe (with 

 some inevitable breaks in continuity), thence through the Em- 

 pires of Russia and Turkey, which unite Europe and Asia, 

 we pass to the purely Asiatic States and Dominions. Persia 

 with its surrounding countries, India, Siam, Indo-China, and 

 Malaya, China and the Japanese Empire, the Dutch Indies 

 and other insular possessions in the Far East: ending with 

 the Dutch, German and British possessions in New Guinea. 

 Then come the flourishing colonies of the Commonwealth of 

 Australia, New Zealand and the many island groups of the 

 Pacific, leading on to America. Beginning with Alaska and 

 Newfoundland, we pass to the vast, fertile and active territories 

 of Canada and the United States, dealing separately with the 

 several States of the Union, so varied in climatic and agri- 

 cultural conditions. Next come Mexico, the islands and 

 states of Central America, and the great countries of South 

 America. 



Last in the series of continents comes Africa. Beginning 

 with Egypt, a country venerable for its ancient glory and 

 fertility, and now growing to a new age of plenty by means 

 of admirable works of agricultural improvement, we proceed 

 through the states and possessions of Northern Africa, de- 

 scending southwards along the Atlantic coast. Next follow 

 the new ami varied dominions and protectorates of Central 

 Africa, where agriculture is developing under the adverse 

 conditions of disease-spreading pests, fatal to men and beasts. 



Passing through the several possessions on the East 

 Coast of Africa and on to Madagascar and to the less distant 

 islands, then back to the continental more southern posses- 

 sions of Portugal, Germany and Great Britain, we end with 

 the Union of South Africa and the minor and more remote 

 ocean-islands. 



Thus, from arctic Iceland, to antarctic Kerguelen (where, 

 the first attempts at cattle raising and farming are now being 

 made) every region and centre of human activity should be 

 dealt with. Under every clime and for all the products of 

 forest, field, and pasture land, we shall endeavour to follow 



