VERMONT AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 113 



safely do without his account books, even if his transactions 

 are all upon a strictly cash basis, and to keep a simple set of 

 account books in a plain, business like way is one of the most 

 necessary things conceivable in' connection with our farm 

 management. In connection with this I want to suggest that 

 every farmer should have his desk, and a regular place to 

 keep his books, pens, ink, stationery, bill heads, receipts, 

 letters and everything of this kind, and a few minutes at the 

 desk, at the end of the day, should be a regular part of every 

 day's work. Write up your account book, look over your mail, 

 write your letters, take care of your business. A fair knowl- 

 edge of ordinary business law is a most valuable acquisition 

 to the farmer's education. It will save him time, annoyance, 

 and oftentimes great expense. It is not to be expected that 

 farmers will take a regular professional course, yet a knowl- 

 edge of the ordinary legal forms and commercial practices is 

 exceedingly useful, and ought to be considered a necessary 

 part of the farmer's education. 



In most country towns the farmer is called upon to take 

 charge of the affairs of local government, and a practical 

 knowledge of its functions is a duty which good citizens 

 ought not to neglect. If we would interest and educate our- 

 selves more upon subjects of local government, questions of 

 public interest and public policy, and acquaint ourselves with 

 the recognized rules of debate, there is no reason why we 

 as farmers should not wield the power that is now almost 

 wholly monopolized by professional men, who are permitted 

 to manage our legislative bodies and to dictate the policy 

 which we are to pursue. 



The practical education of the farmer may be improved 

 and strengthened by careful observation. He should be con- 

 tinually on the alert to learn anything which may be of value 

 to him. The agricultural fair, if rightly managed, is a most 

 valuable educational factor. If others can produce better cat- 

 tle and better crops than you do, you want to know it and 

 inquire into the whys and wherefores. You may learn that 

 there are better breeds, better varieties or better methods 

 than yours, and if a better product can be had at the same 

 cost you should lose no time in learning how. If you are 

 passing along the road and see an unusually good crop, in- 

 quire about it. You may learn something worth dollars to 

 you. We are never too old or too well informed to learn a 

 little more. 



The farmer's club and the grange might do wonders for 

 the farmer if he were only willing. Practice in the discus- 

 sions in club and grange meetings will supplement the educa- 

 tion in a way that no amount of study can do. It is not ex- 



