Oldalképek
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

ON SUSPENDED ANIMATION, POISONS, AND THE PRINCIPAL LAWS RELATING TO
FARMING AND RURAL AFFAIRS.

SUSSEX AGRICULTURAL PRESS :

PRINTED ANd published BY J. BAXTER, LEWES

LONDON:

G. BAXTER, 29, KING SQUARE, GOSWELL ROAD.

1830.

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

IN presenting this volume to the Public the Editor feels it incumbent on him, to offer a few remarks respecting the execution of his undertaking.

In the summer of 1828, he was solicited by the Publisher to superintend the revision of a work entitled "The Gleanings of Agriculture," which at the urgent request of many of his friends he was about to reprint. On the slightest view of the volume in question, it was obvious, that whilst its judicious arrangement, afforded every facility for the purpose of reference, the substance of the respective articles was in most instances obsolete, and altogether unfitted for a modern publication. Aware of his own incompetency to contribute those articles, which were strictly of an agricultural nature, he was about to relinquish the undertaking; but on receiving promises of assistance from some of the most eminent Agriculturists in the Kingdom and from many of his friends, who were more immediately connected with agricultural pursuits, than himself, he commenced his labors, with feelings somewhat "similar to those of an Architect, who having undertaken, to repair a building, within a certain period, by replacing a few unsightly or mouldering stones, finds himself, on his first operations, overwhelmed in its rubbish." In his endeavours to re-build the edifice with solid materials, the Editor has freely availed himself of the writings of others, and in many instances retained their expressions, in every case, however, due acknowledgement has been made, except where the alterations have been so considerable that they could not with propriety be attributed to their respective authors. It will be proper to acknowledge peculiar obligations, to Mr. Loudon's very meritorious publications to which the Editor feels himself highly indebted. The "Gardeners Magazine" deserves particular notice, as being one of the most useful, best conducted, and cheapest periodicals of the present day. To those personal Friends, who have kindly assisted him with their contributions, the Editor feels particularly grateful; it will be right, however, to remark, that some of the articles, furnished by persons of considerable practical experience, have at their own request, been published anonymously, whilst a few, in consequence of delay on the part of contributors themselves, were not seen by the Editor until they appeared in print, under these circumstances, therefore, he cannot be responsible for either, their language or their opinions.

Residing at a distance from the press, the Editor has been unable to superintend its correction, a few typographical errors have therefore, unavoidably crept in, the most important of which are noticed in the Errata at the end of the volume.

Had he not been under an engagement with the Publisher to complete the Work within a given time he flatters himself, it would have been found more worthy, the extensive Patronage bestowed upon it; in his exertions, however, to render it as extensively useful as possible, in the limited period allowed for its completion, he has endeavoured by judicious condensation and uniformity of arrangement, to embody every recent improvement and trusts no fact of importance has been omitted, or the utility of the work in the slightest degree sacrificed to the introduction of novelty;-that it is susceptible of considerable improvement no one can be more fully sensible than himself, but should the volume in its present state in any degree contribute to the advancement of the Agricultural interest of his Country, the Editor will be amply repaid for any labor or pains bestowed on its execution.

November, 3rd. 1830.

PUBLISHER'S PREFACE.

The distinguished patronage and the general support which the Publisher of the Library of Agricultural and Horticultural Knowledge', has experienced in its publication are such as demand his warmest gratitude.

For some years, previous, to the Work being laid before the Public, he had frequently been solicited by his friends, connected with the interests of Agriculture, to commence the undertaking; but it was not until the year 1828, that he completed his engagements with the various writers, whose experience is detailed in the present volume. Thus, aided by Men of Science and Experience, he rests assured that the Work will be found to contain a great fund of useful and interesting matter, highly valuable to those engaged in the pursuits of Agriculture and Horticulture.

The Publisher has very great pleasure, in acknowledging, the numerous favors, which his friends have so promptly and generously afforded in the shape of contributions, but, if he were allowed to single out any individual, to whom he is especially indebted, justice would oblige him to mention the name of John Ellman, Esquire. This gentleman, who stands so high in the estimation of Agriculturists and Graziers, and of all those especially, who can appreciate his labors in the improvement of the South Down Sheep; has contributed several very useful articles; and it is gratifying to the Publisher as it must be to all Mr. Ellman's friends, to remember he has not passed through life, without receiving some tribute of respect for his worth and talents. In 1800, he received a strong manifestation of the sense in which his labors were held by the presentation of a silver Cup, from twenty-seven of the nobility and principal land-owners in the county of Sussex. The goblet has engraven on it a round robin, with the names of the Donors, and within the circle is this inscription: "The undersigned, truly grateful for the great advantages rendered to the sheep breeders on the South Downs by the exertions and assiduity of Mr. John Ellman of Glynde, in making the merits of this valuable breed of sheep generally known and demanded, offer him, this Cup as a token of their esteem."

« ElőzőTovább »