te of English agriculture and of our rural population； also of all the questions thereto pertaining。
So forcefully did it e home that I grew to think and indeed to believe that I was appointed to serve my own； and perhaps other countries； by following up this neglected branch of research which to many has seemed so useless and so dull。 Therefore with a bold heart I gave all my spare time and energy to a study of the matter。
First I wrote the book that is called “A Farmer’s Year；” with the twofold purpose of setting down the struggles of those who were engaged in agriculture during that trying time； and of preserving for the benefit of future generations； if these should care to read of them； a record of the circumstances of their lives and of the condition of their industry in England in the year 1898。 In its way this book； which was first published serially in Longman’s Magazine — now； alas！ defunct； like most of the good magazines of my early days — proved extraordinarily successful。 It ost without exception； with great favour。 Also the letters that poured in upon me concerning it were almost without number； they still continue to arrive。 But； pared with my romances； it brought me in but a small amount of money。 For this there were several reasons。 It was published at too low a price — 7s。 6d。 — whereby Charles Longman and I hoped to put it within the reach of all； also the charming illustrations by my friend Mr。 Leon Little； of which I have the originals in this house； involved a good deal of expenditure。
The chief reason； however； is very simple。 The British public as a whole is a nation of town dwellers and not rural in its tastes。 It wants novels to read； not works that deal with agriculture in however interesting a fashion。 He who treats of s