PREFACE. V 



apparently unprofitable knowledge of the shells found in the 

 several strata, is hardly less essential in the study of the geology 

 of Mississippi, than the knowledge of the several letters of the 

 alphabet is to him who would learn to read. And thus it is with 

 many othi ! icts of scientific research mentioned in the present 

 volume, which to those not accustomed to studies of this kind 

 might seem of no interest whatsoever. 



As regards the study of the agricultural features proper, both 

 the methods I have pursued, and the objects I have kept in view, 

 are more specially, and more fittingly, explained in the General 

 Part of the Agricultural Report, than could be done in this place : 

 and will be found amply exemplified in the Special Part, page 254, if. 



If the method to be pursued in investigations of this kind, is 

 subject to differences of opinion (sufficiently great to have caused 

 rhe American Association for the Advancement of Science, at one 

 of its late sessions, to appoint a committee composed of some of 

 the first men of science to examine the question), such is no less 

 the case with reference to the manner of presenting the results to 

 the public. It would seem that this point also must be considered 

 as being, in a great measure, subject to variation according to the 

 necessities of each case ; and such being my conviction, it has been 

 my aim throughout to answer, as far as I could, the questions bear- 

 ing upon the subjects in hand, which experience had taught me were 

 afloat, and being agitated, among the people, whether of a single 

 neighborhood or district, or of the whole State ; in such connection, 

 and, as much as possible, in such language as I knew would make 

 it understood at the points for which it was intended, even though 

 the expressions employed might not in all cases be deducible from 

 any authentic philological source. I am aware that in so doing, 

 I have laid myself open to some criticism in a literary point of 

 view ; but I hope that the practical consideration just referred to 

 may serve, in some measure, as an extenuation of the fault. 



It is more especially with reference to the introduction of the 

 somewhat lengthy chapter treating of the general principles of 

 Rational Agriculture, that I feel it necessary to enter the plea of 

 special fitness, since on general grounds, it might not be considered 

 as being in its place in a special Report. It was originally sug- 

 gested by my personal experience, among the agricultural popula- 

 tion of the State, of the desire for information of this character ; 



