Soil Fertility and Permanent Agriculture (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Soil Fertility and Permanent AgricultureLiebig said, "Agriculture is, of all industrial pursuits, the richest in facts and the poorest in their comprehension." To a large degree this statement is still true, and the chief purpose of this volume is to bring together in convenient form the world's most essential facts gathered from the field and laboratory, and to develop from them some foundation principles of permanent agriculture; for, as Liebig also truly said, "Facts are like grains of sand which are moved by the wind, but principles are these same grains cemented into rocks."While one dare not believe that error has been completely avoided, the facts presented have been checked with all reasonable care, and they may be accepted with the confidence that they are accurately reproduced from the original data.Unsolved problems still remain, and some conclusions which seem to be indicated by the data thus far reported may be modified later when more complete information is afforded. The author will always receive with deep appreciation suggested additions, modifications, or corrections.It is, perhaps, unnecessary to say to the reader that his general knowledge of farm practice is presupposed, and no attempt has been made to include herein a thousand details with which every man experienced in the art of agriculture already is familiar.For the sake of himself and children it must be said to the practical farmer that he should encourage the teaching of the science of agriculture in the school, even though he may know much more than the teacher concerning the art of agriculture.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com