The last half century has been the era of experiments and writing on the cultivation of the soil. The result has been the acquisition of more knowledge on the subjects embraced, than the world had attained in all its previous history. That knowledge is scattered through many volumes of numerous periodicals and books, and interspersed with many theories, and much speculation, that can never be valuable in practice. In the form in which it is presented, it confuses, rather than aids, the great mass of cultivators. Hence the prejudice against "book-farming." Provided established facts only are presented, they are none the worse for being printed.

The object of this volume is to condense, and present in an intelligible form, all important established facts in the science of soil-culture. The author claims originality, as to the discovery of facts and principles, in but few cases. During ten years of preparatory study for this work, he has sought the rewards of industry, in sifting out the certain and the useful from the hypothetical and the fanciful, and the results of judicious discrimination between fallacy and just reasoning, in support of theories. This volume is designed to be a complete manual for all but amateur cultivators. While it is believed that he who follows its directions will be certain of success, it is not intended to disparage the merits of other works, but to encourage and extend their perusal. We can not too strongly recommend to young culturists to keep themselves well posted in this kind of literature, and give to every discovery and invention in this science a fair trial; not on a large scale, so as to sink money in fruitless experiments, but sufficient to afford a sure test of their real value. To no class of men is study more important than to soil-culturists.

It is believed that the directions here given, if followed, will save millions of dollars annually to that class of cultivators who can least afford to waste time and money in experimenting. With beginners it is important to be successful at first; which is impossible without availing themselves of the experience of others. While we thus aim to give our volume this exclusively practical form, and utilitarian character, we do not undervalue the labors of amateur cultivators. A meed of praise is due to those who are willing to spend time and money in experiments, by which great truths are evolved for the benefit of mankind.

Perfection is not claimed for this volume. But the author hopes nothing will be found here that is untrue. A fear of inserting errors may have induced us to omit some things that may yet prove valuable. If anything seems to be at variance with a cultivator's observation, in a given locality, he will discover in our general principles on climate, soil, and location, that it is a natural result.

Accurate as far as we go has been our motto. It is hoped the form is most convenient. All is arranged under one alphabet, with a complete index. The author has consulted many intelligent cultivators and writers, who, without exception, approve his plan. All agree in saying that it is designed to fill a place not occupied by any other single volume in the language. It is impossible, without cumbering the volume, to give suitable credit to the authors and persons consulted. Suffice it to say, the author has carefully studied all the works mentioned in this volume, and availed himself of a great variety of verbal suggestions, by scientific and practical men. If this work shall, in any good degree, serve the purpose for which it is intended, it will amply reward the author for an amount of labor, experiment, observation, and study, appreciable only by few.

J. H. Walden.

New York, January 1, 1858.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE
Apple-Worms[22]
Apple-Tree Borer[24]
Caterpillar Eggs[25]
Canker-Worm Moths[25]
Baldwin Apple[34]
Bellflower Apple[35]
Early Harvest Apple[36]
Spitzbergen Apple[37]
Rhode Island Greening[38]
Fall Pippin[39]
Newtown Pippin[40]
Rambo Apple[41]
Rome Beauty[42]
Westfield Seek-no-further[43]
Northern Spy[44]
Roxbury Russet[45]
Swaar Apple[46]
Maiden's Blush[47]
Barberries[56]
Working Bee, Queen and Drone[69]
High-Bush Blackberry[83]
Budding (Six Illustrations)[91]
Cherries (Six Illustrations)[122]
Milking Qualities of Cows Illustrated
The Flanders Cow[145]
The Selvage Cow[147]
The Curveline Cow[148]
The Bicorn Cow[149]
The Demijohn Cow[150]
The Square Escutcheon Cow[151]
The Lemousine Cow[151]
The Horizontal Cut Cow[152]
Bastards[152]
Cranberries[156]
Fig[181]
Cleft and Tongue Grafting[210]
Isabella Grapes[223]
Catawba Grapes[223]
Rebecca Grapes[224]
Delaware Grapes[225]
Hedge-Pruning (4 engravings)[238]
Ground Plan of Farm Buildings[252]
Ground Plan of Piggery[253]
Ground Plan of Country Residence, Farm Buildings, Fruit Garden, and Grounds[254]
Laying out Curves Illustrated[255]
Ground Plan of Farm-House[255]
Summer-House[256]
Laborer's Cottage[257]
Ground Plan of Laborer's Cottage[257]
Italian Farm-House[258]
Ground Plan of Italian Farm-House[258]
Neglected Peach-Tree[324]
Properly-Trimmed Peach-Tree[324]
Plan of a Pear-Orchard[338]
Bartlett Pear[340]
Beurré Diel Pear[341]
White Doyenne Pear[342]
Flemish Beauty[343]
Seckel[345]
Gray Doyenne Pear[346]
The Curculio[355]
Lawrence's Favorite Plum[356]
Imperial Gage[357]
Egg-Plum[357]
Green Gage[358]
Jefferson Plum[358]
Washington Plum[359]
French Merino Ram[386]
Shepherdia, or Buffalo Berry[390]
Strawberry Blossoms[397]
Fan Training (Four Illustrations)[417], [418]
Horizontal Training (Two Illustrations)[419]
Conical Training (Four Illustrations)[420]