iv PREFACE. 



There are some things not worth thinking about. There are others 

 beyond my reach. 



I have said nothing about manures for cotton or for the sugar- 

 cane not because I feel no interest in the matter, but because I 

 have had no experience in the cultivation of these important crops. 

 I might have told what the crops contain, and could have given 

 minute directions for furnishing in manure the exact quantity of 

 plant-food which the crops remove from the soiL But I have no 

 faith in such a system of farming. The few cotton-planters I have 

 had the pleasure of seeing were men of education and rare ability. 

 I cannot undertake to offer them advice. But I presume they will 

 find that, if they desire to increase the growth of the cotton-plant, 

 in nine cases out of ten they can do it, provided the soil is properly 

 worked, by supplying a manure containing available nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid, and potash. But the proper proportion of these 

 ingredients of plant-food must be ascertained by experiment, and 

 not from a mere analysis of the cotton-plant. 



I have much faith in artificial manures. They will do great 

 things for American agriculture directly, and indirectly. Their 

 general use will lead to a higher system of farming to better cul- 

 tivation, more root and fodder crops, improved stock, higher feed- 

 ing, and richer manure. But it has been no part of my object to 

 unduly extol the virtues of commercial manures. That may be left 

 to the manufacturers. 



My sympathy is with the farmer, and especially with the farmer 

 of moderate means, who finds that improved farming calls foi 

 more and more capital. I would like to encourage such a man. 

 And so, in point of fact, would the Deacon, though he often talks 

 as though a man who tries to improve his farm will certainly come 

 to poverty. Snch men as the Beacon are useful neighbors if their 

 doubts, and head -shakings, and shoulder-shrnggings lead a young 

 and enthusiastic farmer to put more energy, industry, and economy 

 into his business. It is well to listen to the Deacon to hrar all his 

 objections, and then to keep a sharp look-out for the dangers and 

 difficulties, and go-ahead. 



