^^mm^'^^^f^mm 



b INTRODUCTION. 



classes to this important study. And the re- 

 sult is, that agriculture as a science has ad- 

 vanced with rapid strides, from darkness to 

 comparative light; and from being the occupa- 

 tion of the lowest class in society, to one that 

 is regarded, and justly so, as affording a field 

 for the employment of the highest intellect; 

 and happily also one in which the greatest ex- 

 ertions may be the most beneficially employed. 



The impetus that this science has received 

 may be safely committed, for its farther im- 

 provement, to the energy that now pervades 

 the agricultural classes, in the full assurance 

 that no exertions will be spared to carry it out 

 to the fullest extent. The only thing neces- 

 sary is to convey such information to the agri- 

 culturist, as shall tend to elucidate the opera- 

 tions of nature, and thus direct his energies in 

 the right path. 



It has hitherto, unfortunately, been too much 

 the habit to consider a knowledge of chemistry 

 necessary, only to those connected in some 

 way or other with the practice of medicine. 

 That such an opinion is founded in error few, 

 in the present day, will be disposed to deny — 

 but when we reflect that no change of any 

 kind in any substance whatever, organized or 

 unorganized, can take place, without such 

 change being governed by chemical laws, — it 

 will be at once admitted, that the study of che- 

 mistry is absolutely essential to enable us to 

 understand either the bodies themselves, or the 

 changes they may undergo. 



Chemistry, is indeed the universal science; 



