INTRODUCTION. 



Breeding, technically defined, is restricted to the production 

 of choice animals for use as future propagators, by the judi- 

 cious selection and crossing of the best specimens of the 

 various distinct breeds of domestic stock. 



Horticulture embraces the entire departments of gardening 

 and arboriculture or the cultivation of trees, which is again 

 variously subdivided 



By Planting, (or the occupation of planters,) is understood 

 the cultivation cf extensive farms or plantations, for the 

 exclusive production of one or more commercial staples ; as 

 cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, indigo, &c., and their preparation 

 for a distant market. The term is peculiarly sectional, and 

 its use, so far as adopted in this country, is limited to the 

 Southern part of it. 



All of these, and various other occupations connected with 

 the cultivation of the earth are comprehended under the 

 general head of Agriculture. 



Besides the varied practical knowledge which is indispen- 

 sable to the proper management of every department of 

 agriculture, its general principles and theoretical relations 

 require a familiarity with the elements of History, Geology, 

 Chemistry, Botany, Anatomy, Physiology, and Mechanics ; 

 and in their ultimate connexion, they involve no inconsidera- 

 ble share of the entire circle of human knowledge and 

 science. 



In view of its intricacy, its magnitude, and its importance 

 to the human race, we cannot fail to be struck with the 

 peculiar wisdom of Deity in assigning to man this occupation* 

 when a far-seeing and vigorous intellect fitted him to scan 

 with unerring certainty and precision, the visible works of 

 his Creator, and trace their causes and effects through all 

 their varied relations. It was while in the sinless perfection 

 of his original nature, when " the Lord God put him into 

 the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it," and agriculture 

 was his sole occupation, that his godlike intelligence enabled 

 him, instinctively to give appropriate names, indicative of 



