XXII PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 



There are some things not worth thinking about There arc othcri 

 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 imporUint crops. 

 I might have told what tlie crops conUiiu, and could have given 

 minute directions for furnishing in manure the exact tiuanlity of 

 plant-food which the cro|)s remove from the soil. But 1 have no 

 faith in such a system of farming. Tlie few cotton-planters 1 have 

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

 I cannot uudertjike to offer them advice. But 1 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 proiuriy 

 worked, by supplying a manure conUiining available nitroiren, 

 pliosphorie acitl, and potash. But the pr»j»€r proportion of these 

 ingredients of i)lant-food must be ascerUiined by experiment, and 

 not from a mere analysis of the cotton i)laiit. 



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

 things for American agriculture — directly, and indirectly. Theii 

 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 olyeet to 

 unduly extol the virtues of commercial manures. Tliat may lie left 

 to tlie manufacturers. 



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

 of moderate means, who finds thnt improved farming calls foi 

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

 And so, in point of fact, would the Deacon, thouirh he often Udks 

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

 to poverty. Such men as the Deacon are useful neiirhbors if their 

 doubts, and head-shakings, and shoulder-shru agings lead a y<»ung 

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

 into his business. It is well to listen to tlio Deaenn — to licar all liis 

 obieetious, and then to keep a sharp look-out fur the dangers and 

 difficulties, and go-iOuad. 



