r K E F A ( ' E TO F I K S T EDITION, 



Tlic PrinlPrs hfivp pot our "Talks on Manurps" in typo; and 

 the publisliers want a Profaci-. 



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

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

 ing, and I am here alone, with a jM-ncil in hand and a sheet of 

 blank paper l)efore me. I wouKl far rather be at work. In fael, 

 I have only just come in from the fleld. 



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

 dcficienries of tlie l)ook. If the eritics condescend to notice it at 

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

 censure. Tijey are aa independent set of fellows ! 1 know tlieiu 

 well I am ao old editor myscli, and nothing would please me 

 betttT 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 1 will siy her3, is, that the book is wiiat it preten^ls to be. 

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

 acter. Notliing of the kind. He is one of the oldest farmers in 

 town, and lives on the farm next to mc. 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, il}- own views are honestly given. I hold mv- 

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

 have asserted in another. And sc, pr()l)ably, has the Deacon. I 

 do not know wliether 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 nortli side; and in tlie next chapter you may find the 

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

 cept to the south side ? AVe 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. 

 XXI 



