V 
PREFACE. 
When it is considered that a very large majority of the millions 
who are constantly in training at our country schools are to be cul- 
tivators of the soil, and that on their general intelligence, with some 
knowledge of the principles of their own profession, must in a great 
measure depend, not only the prosperity of American agriculture, 
but the permanence of our free institutions ; every lover of his coun¬ 
try must reflect with regret on the want of more diffusive and per¬ 
fect systems of general education, and especially on the absence 
of a plain, intelligible, elementary work on the principles of agricul¬ 
ture, for the use of our common schools. This want, it is now 
confidently believed, has been supplied by what is here offered, 
entitled u Elements of Agriculture for the Use of Common 
Schools, which has lately appeared in France, under the auspices 
of the department for public instruction, and been sanctioned, as 
will be seen, by the strong recommendation of men of the highest 
distinction and authority for learning and benevolence 
This little work is purely elementary in its character, and so 
plainly written, that while th? principles are brought within the 
comprehension of children who attained their twelfth year, it 
can not fail to be entertaining and a axiliary, if.not instructive to their 
teachers. If in itself it does not make those who study it accom¬ 
plished agriculturists, it will at least pave the way for their becoming 
such, by explaining the rudiments of those sciences with which Ag- 
# riculture is naturally connected 
As will be perceived, by reference to the table of contents, the work 
is divided into three Parts. The first treats of Natural History, 
explaining, in a clear and simple manner, the difference between 
Organic and Inorganic Substances, Animal and Vegetable Life, 
Vegetable Reproduction, &c. The Second Part treats, in like per¬ 
spicuous and intelligible style, of Climate, and its effects upon 
animal and vegetable life. Mineral Manures, more properly 
called by the French writers ameliorator * , and Animal and Vege¬ 
table Manures, with their management and application, make up 
the Third Part. Finally, it has been slightly modified, as was 
needed, to adapt it to the soil and climate of the United States. 
