2 INTRODUCTION. 



vations ; still less of nis style of writing, which is often wanJe ing 

 and diffuse, and which, in order to render it presentable to the Eng- 

 lish reader, has required much compression and retrenchment. Still, 

 however, instead of having, as was expected, to pause at each step 

 of the Author's progress, and dissert upon his views upon this or 

 that particular branch of his subject, the observations of the com- 

 mentator must of necessity be restricted in a great degree to an in- 

 dication of such parts of the work as in his judgment are the most 

 valuable and instructive, together with such incidental objections aa 

 appear to be of sufficient importance to require stating at length. 



The chemical portion of the work is of inestimable value and con- 

 ducted with consummate skill and knowledge ; and with a minute- 

 ness and accuracy perfectly unexampled. At the same time the 

 results of the writer's researches, as well as the means and process- 

 es by which these results were obtained, are displayed with such 

 absolute perspicuity as to be intelligible and instructive to every 

 agricultural inquirer, however superficial his previous acquaintance 

 may be with the details of chemical science. 



Nothing from the pen of tlie Editor could throw additional light 

 upon the Author's brilliant and most interesting elucidation of vege- 

 table physiology : his exposition is at once masterly and complete, 

 and contains much that is both valuable and new. And even when 

 the novelty of the facts which he adduces, or the originality of the 

 inferences deduced and unfoldea may admit of question, they are 

 still -deserving of the most respectful attention from the new and 

 striking lights in which he places them, and presents them to the 

 agricultural reader, and the clear and convincing way in which he 

 demonstrates their inter-dependency and their most intimate con- 

 nection with many of the most important pecuniary and professional 

 interests of the cultivator. Every intelligent farmer will find his 

 account not merely in a repeated perusal of this portion of the work, 

 but in regarding it as a text-book and manual to be kept by him for 

 permanent reference and consultation. 



The arrangement of the subject, naturally and judiciously adopted 

 by the writer, presents the consideration of soils as the first topic 

 for the observations of the agricultural commentator ; but on this 

 head the distinguished author is so thoroughly explanatory and judi- 

 cious, that nothing is left for the Editor but to approve, to acquiesce, 

 and to recommend him with admiring confidence to the patient con- 

 sideration and study of the intelligent inquirer. 



At page 237 the subject of manures is taken up, and discussed 

 with characteristic minuteness through many succeeding pages. 



It may perhaps be objected, that the various theories respecting 

 the origin, nature, efficacy, and relative nature of the difl^erent ma- 

 nures in use, as well as the various modes of their produttion, con- 

 coction, and application, which M. Boussingault has here collated 

 and elucidated, contain nothing new ; that they have, in fact, under 

 one form or other, been long familiar to practical men ; but without 

 impugning the justness of this opinion, the Editor has long been 

 eonvinced that the subject has received, generally, far less care and 



