The preparation of this Text-Book was undertaken by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, in compliance with the many demands that had been addressed to it for an elementary work on Agriculture adapted for use in rural and other schools and classes.<br><br>The general scheme of the work was settled by a Sub-Committee appointed by the Council of the Society, and consisting of Lord Moreton (Chairman), Major Craigie, Mr. C. De L. Faunce De Laune, Mr. D. Pidgeon, Mr. Martin J. Sutton, and Mr. Charles Whitehead.<br><br>The Sub-Committee placed the preparation of the Text-Book in the capable hands of Dr. W. Fream, to whose skill and knowledge of the subject any success which the work may attain will be chiefly due.<br><br>The Sub-Committee desire also to record their grateful acknowledgments, for valuable suggestions and revision of the proof-sheets, to Sir John Lawes, Bart., Sir John Thorold, Bart., Sir Jacob Wilson, Mr. Alfred Ashworth, Mr. Thomas Bell, Mr. J. Bowen-Jones, Mr. Chandos-Pole-Gell, Miss E. A. Ormerod, Mr. D. Pidgeon, Mr. Clare Sewell Read, and Dr. Voelcker.<br><br>It is hoped that the co-operation of these distinguished authorities has resulted in the production of a Text-Book fitted to become a standard work on the subject of which it treats.