XVI REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 



and climate, and the methods of farming followed. With the knowl- 

 edge thus secured it will be practicable to lay out a working plan for 

 a particular farm in a particular region, the object being in all cases 

 to have such plans serve as object lessons for type regions rather than 

 for individuals. In line with this plan there is now being undertaken 

 in different parts of the South demonstration experiments for the 

 purpose of showing the possibilities of more diversified farming. 



With the cooperation of farmers, working plans are being devised 

 whereby the present system of growing only one crop will be changed 

 so as to secure more diversification, thus insuring greater profits and 

 the building up of the fertility of the land. There are many thousands 

 of acres in the South where the same system of farming has been 

 carried on for years and where it would be a great advantage to inau- 

 gurate changes which would lead to the building up of the fertility of 

 the soil and give broader opportunities to those handling the same. 

 As a specific example of this work there is now being developed in 

 the South, as object lessons, a system of what will be called "one- 

 man" farms. These are small areas of land in the pine woods region 

 upon which a system of farming is being developed of such a nature 

 as to appeal directly to the class of farmers who must necessarily 

 handle such land. Instead of a single crop, simple systems of rotation 

 are being put into operation, and the question of the proper stock to 

 keep is being considered, all being of such a nature that the work can 

 be handled by one individual. In other regions, where the conditions 

 are different, more elaborate plans are under way whereby consider- 

 able tracts of land which have for years been cropped to cotton are 

 being arranged for a regular rotation, introducing stock as an element 

 for the purpose of showing the possibilities of such diversification 

 and its bearing on the welfare of the different communities. 



Extension of Fruit Markets Abroad. 



With the increasing production of special crops there is felt the 

 urgent need for broader markets. This is particularly the case with 

 perishable products, such as fruits and certain kinds of vegetables. 

 There have latel}" been undertaken, in a limited way, some investiga- 

 tions having for their purpose the extension of the export trade and 

 the improvement of the methods of handling these products for for- 

 eign and domestic use. Several experimental shipments have included 

 summer apples, peaches, fall pears, and sweet potatoes — products in 

 which an export trade is undeveloped; and winter apples, in which 

 there is a large and increasing trade, but in which it is desirable to 

 bring about improvements in the methods of handling and shipping. 



The results so far obtained indicate that the first-named products 

 may be landed in European markets in good condition if proper care 

 is exercised in all of the operations from the orchard or field to the 



