X author's preface. 



practical knowledge and experience of farmers in the fore- 

 ground, permitting science only to shed its light thereon, 

 and by its help elucidate and explain the grounds and prin- 

 ciples on which they are founded. 



Simple experiments must not be omitted, for they make 

 the connection between various points more visibly com- 

 prehensible, and enliven the monotony of long oral dis- 

 courses. 



Encouraged by my experience on this subject, when, four 

 years ago, I abandoned the study of technical for that of 

 agricultural chemistry, I resumed these efforts, and have 

 delivered above one hundred lectures before about sixty 

 agricultural societies in Saxony. 



My devotion to this subject has been in general gladly 

 received ; chemistry has everywhere been consulted, and 

 has inspired confidence. More recently, I have succeeded 

 in planting the banner of agricultural chemistry beyond the 

 confines of Saxony, and I have every reason to hope that 

 there also it has acquired many friends. 



That by such fragments of chemistry as are exhibited 

 on these occasions, incomplete from their very nature, the 

 farmer should become a chemist, is not possible, nor indeed 

 desirable. Let him first see and hear what chemistry is, 

 how it works, and what it can offer to the agriculturist. 

 If chemistry can stand these tests, it has gained every 

 thing ; for if the agriculturist only perceives that it may be 

 useful to his calling, means will soon be found, not only 



