vi PREFACE 
Each lesson contains a note to the teacher and 15-para- 
graphs in which are developed the ideas or set of ideas 
discussed in the lesson text. The authors have endeav- 
ored to lead the pupil from the simple and known to the 
unknown and complex. The purpose is to have the con- 
clusions follow logically from the statements made. This 
is the laboratory method applied to recitations. De- 
veloped in this manner, it does not become a question as 
to what place in the curriculum the book shall occupy, 
but rather if it is adapted to the age of the pupil and to 
the use of the teacher, that an inspiring and hence a suc- 
cessful recitation or practicum may be conducted. The 
authors believe that both “Soils and Crops” and “Farm 
Animals” are admirable text books covering the general 
field of agriculture in all high, agricultural, normal and 
other schools in which agriculture is taught. In many 
district schools there are boys and girls between the ages 
of 14 and 18 who spend four or five months each year 
studying arithmetic, grammar, history, physiology and 
descriptive geography. It is believed that these students 
may wisely recite less on these subjects, using the time 
for “Soils and Crops” and for “Farm Animals.” 
Acknowledgments.—The greater part of the drawings 
used to illustrate the text have been made by Mr. B. F. 
Williamson, artist of Orange Judd Company, from orig- 
inal subjects and suggestions, or from other sources that 
expressed the ideas to be brought out. A great many 
photographs and drawings were furnished by the pub- 
lishers. The authors acknowledge their thanks to the 
publishers and to the many individuals who have as- 
sisted in supplying illustrations, and their indebtedness 
to other various sources from which they were procured. 
Individual credit, on account of the large number, has 
not been attempted. 
