Published at the especial desire of the North and South Wexford
Agricultural Associations,

SIXTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED.
To which are added, Observations as to the expediency of cultivating
TOBACCO, with the details of its culture,

W. CURRY, JUN. AND CO.; DUBLIN.
HURST, CHANCE AND CO. LONDON; AND OLIVER AND
BOYD, EDINBURGH.

MDCCCXXX.

JOHN S. FOLDS, Printer, 56, Great Strand-street.

BITISH

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

Our various Essays upon Agriculture are often more suited to the taste of the Gentleman Farmer, than to the wants of the practical Husbandman; they are too expensive for the purse, and too learned for the unlettered mind of the humble peasant. It has been my object to supply such information as my own judgment and experience, and the published observations of much better Agriculturists, have suggested.

The Agricultural Societies of the County of Wexford, by their zeal and liberality, have already effected so great an improvement in the habits and practice of the Small Farmers of their County, that it gives me great pleasure to co-operate with them in promoting the comforts of that class, as well as gratification in extending to Farmers, on a greater scale, the inforImation I have been able to collect.

MARTIN DOYLE,

Ballyorley,.

August, 1828,

PEFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION.

To my kind Countrymen and Readers.

When to my humble country neighbours,
I some time since address'd my labours,
Solicitous their state to mend,

And shew myself the poor man's friend—
(For clearly every skilful eye
Might several wants and errors spy;
Deficiencies with evil frought-
The sad result of mind untaught,
And such as e'en a friend like me:
Might hope to cure, in some degree)-
When thus, I say, I first essayed
To write to me a novel trade,
And dared in public print appear,
Tho' not, I own, without some fear;
I little thought my humble book
Would travel far beyond this nook,
Or that my lessons, widely spread,
In other regions, would be read;
Still less did Martin Doyle's ambition
E'er dream to see a FIFTH EDITION

Clear proof that when a subject's fit,
Intention good may stand for wit ;
And who employs an honest pen,
In service of his Countrymen-
Directing steadily his aim
To usefulness, not idle fame,
Will find that in their bosom reigns
A kindness far o'erpays his pains:
Then what more grateful can I do,
Dear Countrymen, for friends like you,
Than pray you every year may see
Increasing proofs of Industry;
And in your daily labours find

Health, competence, and peace of mind.
So here I make my homely bow;
GOD speed the Irish Farmer's plough.

Ballyorley, February, 1830.

MARTIN DOYLE.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The matter comprised in the following pages origi nally appeared in detatched numbers in the Wexford Herald, the Editor of which respectable Paper prefixed to its insertion the following remark :—“ Sensi"ble as we are of the importance to Ireland of a sim"ple and economical system of husbandry, and aware "of the reluctance with which, habits familiarised by "time, give place to improvements of less ancient "standing, we accede with pleasure to the request of "the writer of the following communication, and hope "that his efforts to improve the condition, and increase "the comforts of his humbler Countrymen, may be "attended with success."