PREFACE. 



Though a work of this nature has hitherto been a desideratum 

 in rural economics, it was by no means that circumstance 

 which induced the author to compose the following Treatise. 

 The subject, from his earliest years, has been his favourite 

 study and amusement ; he has considered every branch of it 

 practically and theoretically — minutely and generally ; and he 

 is now engaged in it in a professional capacity. He is con- 

 vinced that the principles of the theory from which he acts 

 lead to effects much preferable to the results of general prac- 

 tice ; and that this theory is sufficient to establish an art (which 

 has hitherto been guided chiefly by fashion or caprice) upon 

 principles inherent in the nature of man. Conceiving that a 

 detail of these principles, and the practices which flow from 

 them, if disseminated in a book might tend materially to their 

 general introduction, he has thence been led to consider the 

 subject in that extensive manner which gave rise to the title 

 page of this volume. . 



