THE COMING PROFESSION FOR BOYS 217 



be unlearned. He began a careful and systematic study 

 of the agricultural literature, and ultimately developed a 

 novel system of dairy farming to which he adhered religiously. 



The farm lying near the city is high-priced land ; for this 

 reason, and because of the limited acreage, the cows were kept 

 in the barn the year round. For six years his bill for veteri- 

 nary services was $1.50, while the income from the milk of 

 his seventeen cows was about $2400 a year. In addition, 

 from four to six head of young cattle were sold annually, 

 netting about $500 a year. As the stock on the farm was 

 stall fed every particle of plant food contained in the stable 

 manure, liquid as well as solid, was utilized. No fertilizer 

 was ever purchased. Yet all of the "roughage" for thirty 

 head of stock was raised on the thirteen acres of available 

 soil. Only $625 a year was expended for concentrated feed- 

 ing stuffs. The net earnings of the farm for the period 

 averaged more than $1000 a year. And this was during the 

 early days of his experience ; later he made more. 



Professor W. J. Spillman, of the Agricultural Department, 

 visited him in 1903, and studied the methods employed. 

 Then, he says, the rush to see the farm became so great 

 that the owner had to give it up. 



Few people who know nothing about it, and won't learn, 

 can take even three acres and make anything off it. To get 

 the phenomenal yields takes capital sometimes large 

 capital, wisely spent. Sometimes we read of immense prod- 

 ucts "per acre"; this often means the product of a single 

 rod of ground, this gives at the rate of so much "per acre," 

 or might, if extended. 



But any one can take a little bit of ground and use it 

 thoroughly and increase his borders and his knowledge as he 

 goes on. He will find plenty to pay him for doing or teaching 



