210 THE CONNECTICUT POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



their crops. The reason for this neglect may be a lack of 

 knowledge of market requirements and the importance of ap- 

 pearance, or it may be due to the diversity of crops and op- 

 erations. Trying to do a little of everything usually results 

 in neglect somewhere. The third class is comprised of men 

 who are not only successful producers of crops of high qual- 

 ity, but business-like enough to realize that their crops — prop- 

 erly graded and packed, are half sold. The growers in this 

 class attend to eve;-y detail of packing and marketing, as well 

 as growing, thereby not only receiving a good profit for their 

 crops but helping to increase the demand through satisfied 

 consumers. This class is altogether too small. How can its 

 membership be increased? I will suggest a few ways. The 

 New England farmer needs to do more book-keeping; he 

 should count the cost of everything he produces for market. 

 He would thereby be enabled in selecting his crops to plant 

 only such as had returned a fair profit under his method over 

 a period of years. This would tend toward the growing of 

 fewer crops on a larger scale, or specializing in the production 

 and sale of a few crops found most profitable under his con- 

 ditions. 



It would result in less detail, more intensive methods, 

 larger crops of better quality, lower cost of production, better 

 system of packing and selling, and therefore greater net 

 profits. Many farmers spread themselves over too many acres 

 and dabble too much. They are farming on tradition and 

 trying to grow every known crop as did their forefathers, ap- 

 parently losing sight of the fact that the wonderful changes 

 made in all business lines during the past 30 years have been 

 due to specialized effort. Business and professional men have 

 long since realized that the day of the generalist has passed, 

 and that all progress rests with the specialist. The farmer 

 has been slower to make this change than any other class, but 

 he must get. in touch with the progressive spirit of the times 

 if he would keep company, and profitably do business, with the 

 rest of the business Avorld. 



