PREFACE 



THE present work is intended mainly for those who are, 

 or who expect to become, interested in the cultivation of 

 land. The author has a large acquaintance amongst men 

 of that class farmers, planters, fruit growers, etc. and 

 has himself taken part in the practical work, both in this 

 country and in Canada, and he believes that it is in regard 

 to the fundamental truths which underlie the phenomena 

 of agriculture that they stand most in need of instruction. 

 As a rule the mechanical part of the work is organised and 

 carried out with systematic efficiency, and when mistakes 

 are made they are generally attributable to lack of know- 

 ledge of the kind referred to. 



The subject has therefore been treated from what is 

 popularly called the scientific point of view. Some previous 

 knowledge of chemistry is necessary, and it has been 

 assumed that readers are familiar with at least the rudi- 

 ments of that science. For purely practical purposes this 

 will probably be found sufficient, but it is obvious that 

 wider general reading must be of great advantage to the 

 student. 



In the chapters on Fertility and the Principles of 

 Manuring a number of ideas are collated which could not 

 be adequately discussed in either of the two main sections 

 (Soils and Manures) of the book between which they form 



of 



