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or slaves; of hired cultivators, or laborers; of commercial agricuiturists, or farmers; and of the various laws and customs in regard to the proprietorship and occupation of landed property.

The practice of agriculture, however rude in early times, or in countries still com~- paratively uncivilised, assumes a very different character among the most advanced J], sas nations. Not to mention the peculiarities of implements, machines, and domestic ani- mals, and the different kinds of culture and management requisite for the different countries and climates of the world, the local variations requisite even in Britain, are so considerable that an agriculturist whose experience and observation had been confined to one district, may be comparatively unfit to exercise his profession in another. The sheep farming of the North Highlands, the dairy farming of Gloucestershire, the hop culture of Kent, the woodlands of Buckinghamshire, and the hay management of Middlesex, have given rise to commercial agriculturists of very distinct varieties from the common corn Wy Satis farmer. The previous preparation of land for culture, by enclosure, drainage, embanking, road-making,&¢, demands considerable science; and has given rise to artist agricul- turists, known as land-surveyors, and land-engineers. The relative changes as to rent and occupancy which take place between land-owners and farmers, and the valuation and transfer of landed property among monied men, have produced land-valuators and land- agents; from the direction of extensive estates, and the management of small concerns and farms, have originated the serving agriculturists, known as land-stewards and bailiffs; and the operators are shepherds, herdsmen, ploughmen, carters, spadesmen, and hands of all work.

The practice of agriculture, from having been chiefly confined to men of humble station, who pursued it as a matter of business or profit, has of late years been engaged in by men of rank, and other opulent or amateur practitioners, as matter of taste and recreation. The contrast between the simple and healthy pursuits of the country, and such as require intense application, and confine men chiefly to towns and cities, gives

them a peculiar charm to the industrious and active citizen, while the idle and the opu-\GRICULTU! lent find relief in it from the ennui of inaction or a frivolous waste of time. Some AND PRESI magnificent displays of the art have thus been made by great landed proprietors on their MENTS, A} demesne or home farms; and very neat and tasteful specimens of culture, by retired citizens and other possessors of villas, farms, and fermes ornées.‘These circumstances may]. The histor be said to have raised the pursuit of agriculture to a comparatively dignified state to that vith that of the in which it was formerly held; while the political advantages which are enjoyed by all of the world; classes in a free and commercial country, have improved the circumstances of agricul- prevailed; geo turists of every grade, and tended to raise them in the scale of society. by the characters The recent discoveries in chemistry and physiology have led to the most important the relative situ improvements in the culture of plants, and the breeding and rearing of animals; agri- us to contrast ou culture is in consequence no longer an art of labor, but of science; hence the curious, as disco} advantage of scientific knowledge to agriculturists, and the susceptibility of the art of countries to our progressive advancement.‘ Agriculture,” Marshal observes,‘¢is a subject which, fom pointing viewed in all its branches and to their fullest extent, is not only the most important and climates cra i

the most difficult in rural economies, but in the circle of human arts and sciences.”

For the purpose of agricultural improvement, societies have been established in every country of Europe, and in almost every county of Britain. Most of these, as well as se- veral eminent individuals, have stimulated cultivators and breeders to exertion, by the offer of premiums, and other honorary rewards. Professorships of rural economy have also been instituted in some colleges; and other independent georgical institutions have been

established for public instruction, especially on the continent;—to which we may add, the publication of numerous books on the subject of agriculture and territorial im- provement.

Such is the origin, the extent, the importance, and the interest of the subject of HISTOR agriculture; from which it cannot be surprising that a varied and voluminous mass 0 Tra of knowledge has been accumulated on the subject, and is consequently more or less eae necessary for every one who would practise the art with success himself, or understand reat fr

when it is well practised for him by others. To combine as far as practicable the whole of this knowledge, and arrange it in a systematic form, adapted both for study and reference, is the object of the present work. The sources from which we have selected,

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are the modern British authors of decided reputation and merit; sometimes we have re- ried. Gre curred to ancient and to Continental authors, and occasionally, though rarely, to our Rtg and own observation and experience:— observation chiefly in Britain, but partly also on is aericultur the Continent; and experience in Scotland, under the paternal roof, during our early beet years,— during some years’ occupancy of two extensive farms in England,— and in the iz iNhabitans engineering and surveying departments during our practice for twenty years as a land- 4 letter scape-gardener. 8) id tothe