Magic and Husbandry the Folk-Lore of Agriculture - Classic Reprint

In this review the reviewer looks at Magic and Husbandry, the Folk-Lore of Agriculture by Lewis Dayton Burdick and finds it a focused reprint for readers interested in the cultural roots of rural life. The single biggest reason to buy is its dense assembly of historical notes and quotations that connect everyday agricultural practices with rites and beliefs, making it valuable to students and curious readers of social history. This edition preserves the original tone and subject scope, so expect a text aimed at understanding traditions around soil cultivation, breeding, bees, and fowls rather than a modern how-to manual.

Key Features

• Comprehensive coverage: The book gathers rites, ceremonies, and customs tied to pastoral life, giving readers a broad perspective on agricultural folklore.
• Focused excerpts: The reprint reproduces original passages and quotations that highlight historical beliefs about cattle, fruit-growing, and domestic fowls.
• Scholarly intent: The author aims to credit sources and guide readers to helpful reference material without excessive citation clutter.
• Connections to daily life: The work emphasizes how social institutions and customs are rooted in early agriculture, useful for cultural context.
• Classic reprint format: Presented as a restored text for readers who want the original wording and structure of Burdick's study.

Who It's For

This book is best for students, researchers, and general readers interested in folklore and agricultural history, particularly those who appreciate older scholarly styles and quoted primary material. It suits readers exploring the social and ceremonial background of farming practices, including breeding, beekeeping, and tending fowls.

Readers seeking practical, modern agricultural advice or a contemporary farming manual should look elsewhere, as this edition focuses on historical customs and beliefs rather than current husbandry techniques or step-by-step guides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides extensive historical context linking everyday farming to rites and social customs.
• Reprints original quotations and passages that are useful for citation or further research.
• Concise editorial framing avoids overwhelming readers with excessive bibliographic clutter.

Cons

• Not intended as a practical handbook, so modern readers seeking actionable farming advice may be disappointed.

Specifications

Title	Magic and Husbandry, the Folk-Lore of Agriculture
Author	Lewis Dayton Burdick
Content focus	Rites, ceremonies, customs and beliefs connected with agriculture
Topics included	Soil cultivation, breeding, cattle care, fruit-growing, bees, fowls
Edition type	Classic reprint
Intended use	Reference and historical study of folklore

Our Verdict

Magic and Husbandry is a worthwhile reprint for readers who value historical scholarship and cultural context; it collects observations and quotations that illuminate how agricultural practice shaped social customs. It represents good value as a reference text for folklore and social science readers, though it is not a substitute for contemporary agricultural guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book a modern farming guide?
No. It is a reprint of a historical study focused on folklore, rites, and beliefs rather than modern husbandry techniques.

What topics does it cover?
The work addresses soil cultivation, breeding and cattle care, fruit-growing, beekeeping, and domestic fowls within the context of customs and ceremonies.

Who authored the book?
Lewis Dayton Burdick compiled and wrote the study, presenting quotations and sources to support his observations.