An Introductory Book in Agriculture Including a Discussion of Soils, Selecting & Planning Farms, By WILLET M. HAYS, M. Agr. Formerly Professor of Agriculture, University of Minnesota ILLUSTRATED NEW YORK ORANGE JUDD COMPANY LONDON KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRUBNER & CO., Limited 1914 Copyright, 1910, by All Rights Reserved Entered at Stationers' Hall Printed in the U. S. A. 5445 PREFACE This book was prepared from notes used in giving instruction to classes in the Agricultural High Schoolof secondary grade-of the University of Minnesota. The students were nearly all from farm homes and nearly all expected to return to the country to live. Their needs, and the point of view in compiling this book, are those of the common farmer. In editing these notes an effort has been made to adapt the text to the agricultural high school, to the consolidated rural and village school, and even to advanced classes in the rural district school, and to the needs of' the farmer's home library. Since no attempt is here made more than to introduce the several subjects, the farmer or pupil reading this book who wishes to pursue the subject in detail should seek advice of the State agricultural college and the Department of Agriculture as to the best up-to-date available literature published by public and private agencies. The chapters dealing with rural engineering are designed to give to the farmer a general explanation of drainage, road making, etc., for his own use rather than to train him for service in engineering. The engineer's point of view is only incidental, and the rural engineer's interest will. be mainly confined to the practical suggestions. Very helpful aid in revising the manuscript has been rendered by my associates, Messrs. Andrew Boss, C. P. Bull, John Thompson, William G. Smith, John G. Haney, E. C. Parker, H. H. Mowry and Maurice O. Eldridge. W. M. HAYS. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER Preface III Agricultural Substances Carry Force IV Geological History of the Earth. V The Soil and Soil Formation. |