Capitat- in Fakming. 385 



generiil average. The product of our meadows should be 



two tons of tlic best quality of hay, instead of one to the 



acre ; our crops of corn eighty bushels or more, instead of 



one-half of this amount, and of oats and potatoes in the 



same proportion. Our dairies might be made to yield a 



product of two hundred and fifty pounds of butter ani.ually 



to a cow, and the quality of this should at the same time be 



so improved as to command an increased price in addition. 



I believe this to be practicable, and what most of us need 



to accomplish these results is capital, and an intelHgent use 



of the same. 



The English farmer does not own the farm he works, 



but rents it from some large land-holder for a term of years, 

 paying therefor what would be considered by us a very 

 large price, and is required in addition, or the necessities 

 of the case demand it, a floating capital or sum of money 

 equal to so much per acre, to enable him to work it to the 

 best advantage, in order that he may pay the rent, support 

 his family, and lay by something for future use. 



This capital is used in draining the land, if it has not 

 been already done, providing suitable implements and 

 machines, labor to carry on the farm in the most thorough 

 and systematic manner, and notably for the purchase of 

 special fertilizers and feeding stuff — ^large quantities of 

 whicli are employed, the object being, in the first place, to 

 put the land in the best condition possible, by drainage 

 and cultivation, in order that the full benefit of the fertili- 

 zers applied may be realized, and large crops harvested, in the 

 consumption of which, and with that purchased, a large 

 amount of rich manure is afforded for the fm'ther enrich- 

 13 



