VI PREFACE. 



and the probability that without it, the results of the Agricultural 

 Survey could not readily be made available to a very large part 

 of those for whose special benefit the work is intended. Yet I 

 might not have thought myself justified in making this feature so 

 prominent, even to the exclusion of a certain amount of special 

 information, but that it appeared to meet the particular approval 

 of the gentlemen constituting the legislative committee, to whose 

 examination the manuscript was submitted — thus confirming the 

 impression dirived from my own observation, regarding the pro- 

 priety of introducing it, as explanatory of the nature and object 

 of such investigations, and of the results elicited. With this 

 special object in view, I have attempted to present, to the agricul- 

 tural reader, as briefly and concisely as possible, and with the least 

 use of technical terms compatible with that conciseness, the well- 

 established principles of Rational Agriculture, with special refer- 

 ence to such matters as have a particular bearing upon the 

 conditions existing in this State. The treatise, therefore does not 

 in any manner pretend to completeness, but simply touches in an 

 explanatory manner, such subjects as appeared to me of immediate 

 importance in connection with the results of the Survey ; and I 

 have endeavored by copious references throughout the special part, 

 to establish that connection, and to enable the reader unacquainted 

 "with the subject, to sec, and act intelligently with reference to the 

 reasons why a certain course is recommended in certain cases. 



It is with reference to the latter point particularly, that I have 

 deviated from the course usually pursued in Reports communicating 

 analyses of soils ; it being mostly left to the agriculturist to 

 interpret, as best he may, the columns of names and figures Avhich 

 he recieves from the hands of the chemist. That under such cir- 

 cumstances, little benefit should result from these analyses, is not 

 wonderful. The chemist, not knowing the circumstances under 

 which the soil he has analyzed, occurs in nature, cannot, if he 

 would, advise intelligently as to the import of his results ; yet, to 

 draw the conclusions contained in the abstract result communicated 

 by him to the agriculturist, almost always transcends the knowledge 

 of the latter ; for it presupposes in most cases, an acquaintance 

 with chemistry and the kindred sciences not to be expected, unless 

 of professional men. The agricultural chemist, therefore, ought 

 not only to make the analyses, but also to interpret them to the 



