AGRICULTURE OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 15T 



small farms, might form an important item, did time permit. 

 We read that Cincinnatus was as diligent and as successful at 

 the plough as in the senate and army, but he refused a proffered 

 gift of valuable land from the senators ; for said he " I have 

 already more than I can properly cultivate." His farm con- 

 sisted of two and a half acres. Although our farmer may not 

 so closely limit his boundaries for fear of violating the tenth 

 commandment, would it not be better in the generality of cases 

 (especially for those beginning), to work smaller space, throw- 

 ing extra capital and yearly gains into its cultivation, until its 

 fertility and returns are of the best ? Then if the spirit moves, 

 and your neighbors are willing, enlarge. I think the general 

 management and results of large farms will prove this. Of 

 course there are exceptions, for as in finance, in manufactures, 

 in mercantile life, some men with the will, talents and training, 

 will progress in extent and control of business, far ahead of their 

 fellows, so it is in agriculture. 



Special culture is another improvement. In this age of men- 

 tal activity and progress, of rush and struggle for superiority, 

 success crowns only him who concentrates every energy to the 

 accomplishment of some one fixed purpose. The old " Jack-at- 

 all trades" is left far in the rear. Choose some one branch of 

 agriculture, suited to your taste and position, then " fight it out 

 on that line " if it takes, — more than Grant's summer — a life- 

 time. Is it stock raising, is it dairy farming, fruit culture, or 

 market gardening ? take which you please, at the end of a life's 

 most careful study and observation, any little boy inquisitive for 

 information, may ask you questions, vital in their connection 

 with your business, which you cannot answer. The more men 

 Hampshire County can show engaged in such special culture, 

 the higher will be her agricultural influence and standing. 



The breeding of pure blood stock, judging from your annual 

 shows, offers ample field for improvement to special farmers in 

 this county particularly tempting, by reason of easy access to 

 thoroughbred animals at the State, farm, whose superior quali- 

 ties ought to be stamped upon all our herds. A. name among 

 farmers cannot be acquired in any shorter way than as a reliable 

 breeder of pure stock, and as to money, knowing ones in this 

 field have long reaped rich rewards, and the harvest is yet com- 

 paratively untouched. 



