286 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



" That's just it ; if a man will use his head, 

 any business will go, farming or making hats. 

 It's the gray matter that counts, and the fellow 

 that puts a little more of it into his business 

 than his neighbor does, is the one who'll get on." 



" But farming is different ; so much seems to 

 depend upon winds and rains and frosts and 

 accidents of all sorts that are out of one's line." 



" Not so much as you think, Kyrle. Of course 

 these things cut in, but one must discount them 

 in farming as in other lines of business. A total 

 crop failure is an unknown thing in this region ; 

 we can count on sufficient rain for a moderate 

 crop every year, and we know pretty well when 

 to look for frosts. If a man will do well by his 

 land, the harvest will come as sure as taxes. All 

 the farmer has to do is to make the best of what 

 Nature and intelligent cultivation will always 

 produce. But he must use his gray matter in 

 other ways than in just planning the rotation of 

 crops. When he finds his raw staples selling for 

 a good deal less than actual value, less than 

 he can produce them for, he should go into the 

 market and buy against higher prices, for he 

 may be absolutely certain that higher prices will 

 come." 



But how is one to know ? Corn changes so 

 that one can't form much idea of its actual 

 value." 



"No more than other staples. You know 

 what fur is worth, because you've watched the 



