^2 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



requirements of all systems of farming might be enumerated and 

 discussed, it would be far beyond the scope of this book to attempt 

 either. There are, however, a few general principles whose appli- 

 cation is so universal that they should always be borne in mind, 

 but beyond these I do not deem it practicable to go. 



To those who want to buy for a home rather than for 2.farm^ — 

 who want an ornamental farm, or a sort of agricultural country- 

 seat, — these directions can be of use only in so far as they apply 

 to the strictly agricultural aspects of their case. The very im- 

 portant considerations of beauty, society, and the conveniences of 

 luxurious living must be determined by the light of other con- 

 siderations than those with which simple farming has to do. 



At the same time, every farm must be the home of the farmer's 

 family, and must, (or should,) comprise the influences which are 

 to have the most weight in the development of his own and his 

 wife's characters, and in moulding the habits, the tastes, and the 

 constitutions of his children. 



As a man has but one life to live, he should be very careful that 

 he so lives as to get from it the greatest possible amount of health, 

 comfort, cultivation, and ability for usefulness for himself and for 

 his family. This requires a healthy location, a good house, good 

 facilities for education, good neighborhood, and good land. To 

 get all of these is the lot of but few men. Generally, we must be 

 content with only a part of them. Inasmuch as, — after health, — 

 money is not the greatest good, but the means for attaining the 

 greatest good, the quality of the soil is of more importance than 

 any other thing except healthfulness of situation. A hundred 

 bushels of corn or forty bushels of wheat to the acre, will not 

 compensate a man for a houseful of fever and ague, but if they 

 can be had without the disease, they will lead the way to almost 

 every thing else that is needed. 



The first thing to be decided is, whether to remain in well- 

 settled parts of the country, or to emigrate to virgin land. In the 

 latter case, the question should be, in how far will large crops 

 and lighter work compensate for the want of good schools, good 

 society, and good home-markets. In the former, in how far will 



