114 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



failure. For what crops are his various soils best suited? 

 How deep, and at what seasons of the year, and how many 

 times, shall he plough and harrow his land to obtain the best 

 results? What kinds of manures and fertilizers shall he 

 use? and where purchase them? Just how deep in the earth 

 shall he place the various seeds, when scarcely any two kinds 

 require the same depth of covering ? and at just what sea- 

 son — early, medium, or late — shall they be planted ? What 

 farming tools and implements, and how many, can he obtain 

 and use prudently and profitably ? How much cultivating 

 and hoeing shall he give his crops ? How shall he guard 

 against floods and drought, and frosts and extreme heat? 

 how protect his fields from rust and blight and mildew? 

 How can he destroy the numberless insects that prey upon 

 every product of his farm ? What kinds of horses, neat- 

 cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry, shall he keep ? and how, 

 and upon what kinds of food, can they be most profitably 

 reared and kept ? When his various products are ready for 

 market, when and where shall he sell them ? Shall he imme- 

 diately dispose of them, or shall he keep some of the least 

 perishable for higher prices? and, equally important, when 

 and where shall he make his many purchases ? 



It may be safely said, that to 'correctly solve these and 

 the hundred other practical questions that are presented in 

 the experience of every thinking farmer will require the 

 sharpest intellect, a wide range of reading, and the broadest 

 and closest observation. 



Undoubtedly agriculture holds out greater inducements 

 to the industrious young man of good habits than any other 

 calling. And 3'et there is no easy, lazy road to success in 

 this any more than in other occupations. Persevering in- 

 dustry and self-denying economy are the only conditions of 

 success ; and, these granted, a competence is assured. A 

 proper and wise economy requires liberal outlays prudently 

 expended. 



But I am invited simply to relate my farming experience. 

 I would say at the outset that it has been neither exciting 

 nor particularly interesting ; and, as the time will not permit 

 of giving details, I shall briefly discuss some of the princi- 

 ples upon which my farming operations have been conducted, 

 and then give you the results financially. 



