PREFACE. 



The Printers have got our " Talks on Manures " in type ; and 

 the publishers want a Preface. 



The Deacon is busy hoeing his corn ; the Doctor is gone to Rice 

 Lake, fishing ; Charley is cultivating mangels ; the Squire is hay- 

 ing, and I am here alone, with a pencil in hand and a sheet of 

 blank paper before me. I would far rather be at .work. In fact, 

 I have only just come in from the field. 



Now, what shall I say ? It will do no good to apologize for the 

 deficiencies of the book. If the critics condescend to notice it at 

 all, nothing I can say will propitiate their favor, or moderate their 

 censure. They are an independent set of fellows ! I know them 

 well. I am an old editor myself, and nothing would pleaso me 

 better than to sit down and write a slashing criticism of these 

 " Talks on Manures." 



But I am denied that pleasure. The critics have the floor. 



All I will say hers, is, that the book is what it pretends to be. 

 Some people seem to think that the " Deacon " is a fictitious char- 

 acter. Nothing of the kind. He is one of the oldest farmers in 

 town, and lives on the farm next to me. I have the very highest 

 respect for him. I have tried to report him fully and correctly. 

 Of my own share in the conversations I will say little, and of the 

 Doctor's nothing. My own views are honestly given. I hold my- 

 self responsible for them. I may contradict in one chapter what I 

 have asserted in another. And so, probably, has the Deacon. I 

 do not know whether this is or is not the case. I know very well 

 that on many questions "much can be said on both sides" and 

 very likely the Deacon is sometimes on the south side of the fence 

 and I on the north side ; and in the next chapter you may find the 

 Deacon on the north side, and where would you have me go, ex- 

 cept to the south side ? We cannot see both sides of the fence, if 

 both of us walk on the same side ! 



I fear some will be disappointed at not finding a particular sub- 

 ject discussed. 



I have talked about those things which occupy my own thoughts. 



4G6908 



