gg BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



T have said enough on tliis subject, at least, to open the door ; 

 and there are others to follow, who I doubt not will give us a 

 renied}-. 



Discussion. 



C. C. Lke of Foxcroft, followed the above in consideration of 

 the question whether we are genuine farmers. If we are farmers, 

 and propose to remain farmers, we should confine our attention to 

 the business, and, like business men, keep our accounts, that we 

 may know what is payiug a profit and what is not ; and, after learn- 

 ing this, then stick to that line of work which brings an income. 

 The lack of capital was referred to, and the idea has occurred to 

 me that in farming, as in other business, copartnershi[)S ma}' be 

 formed with other farmers. Especiall}' might this be done with our 

 sons, and thus enlarge the business and reduce the cost of pro- 

 duction. 



C. H. Cobb. It is well known that we have farmers who are in 

 the practice of keeping accounts, and who know where the profits 

 are found and where the losses occur. With them it is not a matter 

 of guess-work. After determining where the profits are secured, 

 farmers should bend their chief efforts in that direction. Business 

 men are continualh' searching for lines of profit, and. when fouud, 

 they are not lost sight of. 



H. L. Lelaxd believes that if we examined ourselves criticalh', 

 we shall find we are not putting so much of business into our farm- 

 ing as we might. Farming at the present time means a great deal. 

 There is much of business in it. or must be, if it is made successful. 

 The suggestions of copartnership strikes me favorably. Through 

 it there can be a massing of capital, and what is of fully equal im- 

 portance, a massing of labor, and through the arrangement better 

 net profits ought to be secured. 



Mr. Kkene of Atkinson. A serious difficult}' is met in the fact 

 that we have not the needed help among us. A large part of the 

 young men are taking the advice of Horace Greeley to " Go 

 West." If this tide could be stayed we should have their labor to 

 assist in developing and extending our business. 



Sec. Gilbert. I would raise the question, seriously, whether it 

 is not asking too much of a small investment in a farm, that it fur- 

 nish a dwelling place for the famil_y, feed and clothe its members well, 

 educate the children, meet the demands of society', meet the taxes. 



