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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Agriculture


AG'RICULTURE, noun [Latin ager, a field, and cultura, cultivation. See Acre and Culture.]

In general sense, the cultivation of the ground, for the purpose of producing vegetables, and fruits, for the use of man and beast; or the art of preparing the soil, sowing and planting seeds, dressing the plants, and removing the crops. In this sense, the word includes gardening, or horticulture, and also the raising and feeding of cattle, or stock. But in a more common and appropriate sense, it is used to signify that species of cultivation which is intended to raise grain and other crops for man and beast. It is equivalent to husbandry.

Agriculture is the most general occupation of man.