FIRST-CLASS PRODUCTS. 53 



secure a reputation : why should not the farmer ? The farmei 

 who acquires a reputation for unusual excellence of products, 

 no matter what they may be, is sure of success and pecuniary 

 independence. 



It is astonishing how apparently trifling changes in 

 methods, or unusual care in selecting and manipulating farm 

 products, will influence sales, and enhance prices. Here is a 

 farmer who shells his corn and grinds it in the careless, old 

 way, indifferent to dirt or mould ; and over the way is 

 another, who selects sound ears, shells, and winnows out 

 every particle of cob and dust, grinds in a clean mill, packs 

 in tasty and secure packages, and the products of both go to 

 market. The one gets seventy-five cents a bushel for his 

 meal ; the other, two dollars : one remains poor and obscure ; 

 the other secures a reputation, which is better than capital. 

 One farmer, in making cider, grinds with his apples, not only 

 the decayed fruit, but much filth in various forms, and stores 

 the liquid in musty casks : another selects and washes his 

 fruit, and every stage of the process is carefully watched, and 

 neatness and intelligent skill constantly exercised. The 

 products of one find a dull market at low prices : the other 

 sells at high prices with a read}- market. 



One more example. Farmer A. raises pork : his hogs are 

 kept in the old slovenly way, fed on garbage, or whatever 

 the animals will eat. Farmer B. also raises pork ; but his 

 hogs are well cared for : the pens are cleanly, and a bed of 

 straw is supplied for quiet repose. Sunlight and air are 

 admitted freely to the pens, and also plent}^ of clean water. 

 l)uring fattening they are fed on good sound meal and 

 shcrts with skim-milk. Farmer A. finds a slow market for 

 his pork at the present time at five or six cents per pound ; 

 while B. cannot supply the demand for his at fifteen cents a 

 pound. 



It is not alone the wealthy who are willing to pay well 

 for nice, sound, and healthy farm products : mechanics and 

 laborers* of moderate means have learned that good food is 

 worth paying for, and they seek for it at the sources of 

 supply. The difference in price and facility of sale between 

 products strictly first-class and those not quite up to a high 

 standard is immense, and failure to observe, little matters 

 brings pecuniary loss. I have known a choice pan of butter 



