In this edition, feveral new articles are added, efpecially with regard to the rearing of hedges, which fome of the Author's friends thought neceffary ;-fome notes, and other illuftrations, are interspersed through the whole; and accurate figures of the graffes and other plants recommended in the fixth Effay are given, which, it is hoped, will be of use to all readers, but especially to fuch as are not much verfed in botanical researches; as it will enable them to know the several plants at fight. An entire Effay on the nature and properties of Quick-lime, is likewife added.-To the whole is fubjoined an Appendix, containing upwards of two thousand experiments, made with a view to afcertain what plants are eat or rejected by the different domeftic animals commonly reared in Europe, from the Amoenitates Academicae.

These additions are fo confiderable, that the Author judged it neceffary to cause them to be printed separately, and fold by themselves, that the purchafers of the former edition might not be put to any unnecessary

expence.

If this work fhould go through another edition, the refult of experiments, and fuch other small additions as may be neceffary, will be given to the purchasers of this and the former edition gratis.

PREFACE.

PRE FAC E.

T may not perhaps be looked upon as

one of the fmalleft inconveniencies attending the profeffion of Agriculture, that fo many of the most confpicuous writers on that fubject, having been themselves entirely unacquainted with the practice of that art, and of confequence unable to felect with judgment from the works of others, have frequently copied their errors with the fame fcrupulous nicety as the most valuable parts of their works. And, as it usually happens that, when a man indulges his imagination, and creates to himself ideal plans of improvement, he can render them appa

rently.

rently much more perfect than any thing that really takes place in practice, it is but natural to expect that these places should catch the attention of an unexperienced compiler; who being thus feduced himself, employs the utmost of his rhetorical powers to persuade his readers to adopt these particular practices. In this manner is the judgment of the young and unexperienced farmer but too often misled; and he is made to adopt peculiar opinions, and follow certain favourite practices with a persevering obftinacy that his own better judgment never would have allowed him to do, if he had proceeded with that attentive diffidence that always accompanies ignorance when attended with native good fenfe. So that, although books of that kind often contain observations

that

that may be of very great utility to an experienced farmer, who may be able to diftinguish between the good and the bad; yet, to those who have most need of instruction, and who ofteneft confult them, these books frequently prove the fource of very capital errors: So that it would usually be better for fuch farmers that no fuch books had ever been written.

The writer of the following pages ftrongly felt the inconveniencies here complained of, in the early part of his life, and would be glad if he could in any way contribute to prevent others from suffering in the fame way. With this view, he has penned, at his leisure hours, the following Effays, on fuch fubjects as have in the course of his practice

parti

particularly engaged his attention; and now offers them to the public in that native fimplicity of dress in which he thinks truth ought always to appear. The observations contained in the following sheets are chiefly the refult of his own experience; but if, at any time, he has ventured to extend his views a little farther, with a defign to turn the attention of the reader to a few other objects of importance, he has always taken care to inform him of it, that he may never be at a lofs to know what degree of credit he ought to bestow upon every particular part. And, as he had no other aim but to afford a few plain inftructions to the inexperienced reader, upon which he might fafely rely without fear of being misled; he has followed no other plan but to mark down

with