VARIETY IN FARM PRODUCE^ 385 



could scarcely fail to afifect every side of farming. Yet at no time 

 during this trjdng period was improvement completely arrested. 

 On the contrary, it not only continued in the old-estabHshed forms 

 of the industry, but extended to a variety of other branches. What 

 were formerly the by-products of farming have assumed a new 

 importance. When once landlords and tenants reaHsed that the 

 prospect of a rise in the prices of cereals was for years to come 

 remote, and when, more slowly, they became convinced that Pro- 

 tection of food produce can never be revived on a scale which can 

 really help corn-growers, they set themselves to develop the land 

 on more varied Hnes. The area of corn-crops was reduced. Wood- 

 lands, which were only valued for beauty or as game covers, began 

 to be treated commercially on the principles of scientific forestry. 

 The development of the milk trade, dairying, pasture-farming, 

 flower-growing, market-gardening, poultry-keeping is characteristic 

 of the new period. The Woburn experimental fruit-farm has 

 collected a mass of tested experiments for the guidance of fruit- 

 growers. Farmers grow potatoes, brussels, and other market- 

 garden crops on their land. It is the day of small things. If 

 money could no longer be made in farming, it might still be saved. 

 Instead of the large stake and open-handed expenditure of the old- 

 fashioned corn-grower, there are many small stakes and a careful 

 attention to minute details. The eggs are not crowded into one 

 basket, but are distributed in many baskets. 



V ariety is one of the e nforced imp rovemenj^iiLmQdern farming ; 

 attention to detail is another ; strict , economy is a third ; the 

 s topp age of leakages is ajourth. Farmers themselves have changed 

 for the better as captains of industry. To-day they are for the 

 most part alertj_ receptive of new ideas, keenly sensible of their 

 debt to science, eager to accept its latest suggestions. In all 

 departments of agriculture it is now reahsed that the best produce 

 commands the readiest sale, and a more general approximation to a 

 high standard of farming may be legitimately regarded as advance. 

 In corn:;growing there is no increased produoijon. But prices, not 

 skill and enterprise, are the chief bar to greater yields. Agriculture 

 differs essentially from manufacture. The larger the output of 

 goods, the lower the average cost of production to the manufacturer. 

 It is not so with the farmer. The bushels that are added to the 

 ordinary yield are those which are most expensive to raise and 

 increase the average cost of production. Experiments at Rotham- 



