96 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM. 



which give a larger money return for the acreage and 

 of such as cannot be carried great distances without in- 

 jury becomes more common. Thus supplying milk to 

 large cities is now a chief business on farms formerly 

 devoted to grain growing. 



The general practice is usually the safest guide. 

 There are many exceptions to this, but no safer rule 

 can be given to one about commencing farming in a 

 region with which he has little acquaintance than to 

 follow the practice of the most successful farmers in 

 the vicinity, at least in the beginning of his work. As 

 stated, there are many exceptions. It not infrequently 

 happens that the most profitable farming in a com- 

 munity is that by some one who has introduced a new 

 industry, or sought to give a home supply of some 

 article which has hitherto been brought from a dis- 

 tance. A man of special skill and intelligence may 

 sometimes wisely work against peculiarities of climate 

 and soil. It often happens that those who are first to 

 see the probable value of a crop new to the region, or 

 first to adapt their farming to changing conditions, 

 are much more successful than their neighbors. 



Specialties or Greneral Farming. — For most 

 farmers the production of several crops is safer and 

 wiser than giving nearly exclusive attention to one 

 crop. Here again there are many exceptions. A 

 wisely selected specialty often gives much larger 

 profits than come to the farmer who divides his 

 efforts between several branches of farming. The 

 specialty farmer ought to learn more about produc- 

 ing and disposing of his one crop than if he looked 

 after several. He has a better opportunity of making 

 a good reputation and of getting somewhat higher 



