PREFACE.



     When a man is brought before a court of justice for some offense
he may have committed and offers his want of knowledge of the law in
excuse for his conduct, he is told that "Ignorance of the law is no ex-
cuse," and he is made suffer the penalty. As courts only require of
each citizen the full and fair performance of his duty, and nothing be-
yond, we must therefore conclude that the reason the plea of ignorance
is not accepted is because it falls within the duty of every man to know
the law. But this does not mean that a man shall know all the law;
none but those who make its study and practice a profession are ex-
pected to have a special knowledge of its many branches or departments.
The average citizen has probably performed his full duty when he has
made himself familiar with those laws of his state relating to his own
occupation, his property rights, and those which govern his conduct and
course of action as a member of society.
     To afford to the farmers of Kentucky and those interested in that
occupation, an opportunity to gain a knowledge of the laws of the state
relating to farms, farming and kindred matters, has been the object in
the preparation and revision of this volume. A careful study of its pages
will advance the reader well toward that point where he may feel that
he has fairly discharged the duty of informing himself in those matters
which are of daily concern to all persons residing in farming communi-
ties, or who are in any way interested in agricultural pursuits.
     The laws contained in this volume are based upon the Kentucky
Statutes and the laws enacted by the legislature at its last session, there-
by bring the volume down to date. The number inclosed in brackets at
the end of each section is, except where otherwise indicated, the same
as the section of like number as found in the Kentucky Statutes.
     The number inclosed in brackets at the end of any paragraph indi-
cates that such paragraph is in the same language, or, is, in substance, the
same as the section of like number in the Statutes of Kentucky. The
other references indicate decisions of courts, usually the highest court
of the state, in which the case was decided. The effort has been through-
out to give the law accurately as it is found in force and operation in
the state to-day.
     It is not to be inferred by any one into whose hands this book may
fall that he shall thereby become his own lawyer. No man not intend-
ing to make the practice of law a profession should study it with any
view other than to educate himself and thus broaden his qualifications
for the discharge of his duties as a citizen.          AUTHOR.
     Columbus, Ohio, November 1, 1911.