INTRODUCTION. 



IH A VE written this work for the ufe of 

 two fetts of men, gentlemen farmers and 

 common ones. Not many of the latter read 

 books, but fuch of them as do not hold all 

 in contempt, may find in thefe pages fome 

 hints, which if they do not hijlrucl^ may at 

 leaft remind them of points of importance, 

 in the moft critical moments of their lives — 

 when they hire their farms. But with re- 

 gard to gentlemen, I may venture to aflert 

 that fome work of this kind is abfolutely 

 necefTary for their ufe, when they either 

 take a part of their eftates into their own 

 hands, or hire farms of others. Not hav- 

 ing fo clofe and immediate a fpur as dired: 

 neceffity to make them cautious and pene- 

 trating, they are more apt than the com- 

 mon farmer to overlook the want of fome 

 points of confequence, and to be too much 

 ftruck with the appearance of others. Add 

 to this, that many gentlemen who make 

 farming a bufinefs or a pleafure are at firft 

 Vol. I. a totally 



