393 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



brought about iu large measure by the settlement of the extensive prairies of 

 the ■svest, and the great advance which has been made in farm implements and 

 machinery, giving us an immense quantity of farm products at a greatly 

 reduced cost of productioii, it is hardly possible to have large profits on a 

 small farm. So that the old idea of the most perfect conditions of rural life 

 being represented by a '* small farm well tilled," must give place to the idea 

 of a "large farm well tilled." This is more emphatically true of farming in 

 the west than in the east. Yet, the most advanced agriculturists of the east 

 fully recognize this fact. 



Prof. Sanborn, of New Hampshire, speaking of extensive farming, says : 

 *' Large profits are the product only of an extended business under low prices 

 in farming as elsewhere. Large leases have given a rich tenantry to England, 

 while ten-acre farms have clothed the French peasants with wooden shoes. 

 The policy by which we have lost for a long period (that is the policy of the 

 "small area well tilled ") is obviously not the one to pursue further. I would 

 till, instead of 10 to 15 per cent of the possible arable land of the farm, 50 

 per cent at lowe&t, and thence on, governed by circumstances, up to 60, 70, 

 80, 90, or even 100 per cent of such land, always including clover as one of 

 the rotation of crops. In order to secure the materials of fertility, I would 

 feed well-bred early maturity animals on home-grown and purchased foods, 

 rich in the elements of plant food. I would use large amounts of purchased 

 chemicals, give thorough tillage, adopt a system of rotation of crops, and 

 substitute machinery for hand-labor as far as practicable. This policy will 

 multiply the gross revenue of our farms from three to five times." 



When we remember that only a very small percentage of the men who turn 

 to mercantile pursuits are successful — some claim not more than four per 

 cent — the farmei-'s slow but sure accumulations are not to be despised. The 

 young men who leave the farm for other occupations, and the older men who 

 sell their farms and go into business, expecting speedier and larger gains, fre- 

 quently find only too late that they have made a fatal mistake. 



Among the varied range of occupations I know of none that furnish better 

 opportunities for man's development, both physically and mentally, than 

 farming. I believe that iu any legitimate calling he may preserve his integ- 

 rity and develop his manhood, and a man's occupation, so long as it is a 

 legitimate one, may not have so much influence upon his character as is some- 

 times supposed. Every such occupation, however, probably has its advantages 

 and disadvantages as a school of character. Whatever our calling is, we probably 

 find in it some things that foster and some that impede the growth of our 

 better nature — some helps to be thankful for in the development of a true 

 manhood and womanhood, and some hindrances to be overcome. 



One of the essential conditions to our best development is a sound body, 

 therefore the most healthful occupation, all other things being equal, is the 

 best. It is generally iidmitted that the average health of the farming com- 

 munity is better than that of other classes. This is one advantage which the 

 farmer has in the pursuit of manhood over others. It is much easier for one 

 whose circulation is perfect, whose digestion is sound, and whose nerves are 

 steady, to be a man among men, than one who is nervous, thin-blooded, or 

 dyspeptic. Someone has well said, "The profession of agriculture is more 

 favorable to the entire development of the human faculties, to the unfolding 

 and perfecting of this physical, this intellectual, this moral and immortal 

 being, which God has given us, than any other employment. It imparts vigor 

 to the body and to the mind, leaving the soul free from feverish excitements, 



