PREFACE, vii 



long history of our agricultural mistakes ; in such case, we 

 should soon relapse into discouragement, and at last dis- 

 cover that we had retrograded in place of having advanced. 



I address those especially who, like myself, after hav- 

 ing tried other careers, have turned towards a country 

 life, disgusted by the revolutions of the times. In the 

 bosom of nature, which changes not, they will find what 

 they seek, occupation in undisturbed quiet, with an in- 

 dependence resulting from their labours, always provided 

 they do not undertake too much at once. 



Those who may desire to devote their time to agricul- 

 tural improvements should, first of all, study the local 

 causes of what is called the routine. Very often these 

 causes are only transitory, or accidental, and may be boldly 

 set aside. Often, also, they are deep-rooted and funda- 

 mental, and failure is certain if they are attacked by 

 direct means. The most prudent plan is, to proceed step 

 by step, getting knowledge always by experience, and 

 leaving a large margin to time. If ' the practice which 

 attempts to do without theory results in disappointment, 

 the theory which pretends to dispense with practice is 

 vain and rash. 



There is a radical difference between France and Eng- 

 land ; in the one is to be found the extreme simplicity, 

 and in the other the extreme variety, of the problem. In 

 France the mistake is almost always committed of gener- 

 alising too much, whereas nowhere is this less admissible 

 owing to the immense variety of soils, climates, crops, races, 

 origins, and social and economical conditions, which make 

 an infinitely multiplied world of our apparent unity. 



