6 PREFACE. 



Of course, failures will occur in this, as in every other 

 pursuit; but where favorable conditions of soil, situation, 

 etc., exist, sober, economical, industrious, and intelligent 

 farmers who attend closely to their business, can make 

 this a most profitable branch of agriculture. As an in- 

 stance of successful truck-farming, I may cite a case 

 within my knowledge. Among the prosperous gardeners 

 near Savannah, are three brothers, plain farmers from 

 Effingham County, Georgia. They were without any 

 special advantages as educated horticulturists, but under 

 favorable contingencies, and possessing in themselves the 

 above named desirable characteristics, they commenced to 

 farm on their own account seven years ago. They had a 

 borrowed capital of one thousand dollars wherewith to 

 operate their first small crop, and make a payment on ac- 

 count of their purchase of land. They were not only able 

 to pay for the land in full, from the proceeds of their 

 crops, but have acquired in the aggregate two hundred and 

 seventy-five acres, making at various intervals cash pay- 

 ments ranging from one thousand five hundred dollars to 

 nine thousand one hundred dollars. Besides this, they 

 have expended various amounts in buildings, and other 

 improvements, and have cash on hand and a bank account. 

 One of the brothers has also invested in railroad stock, 

 and the elder of them has lately purchased a house and 

 lot in town, for four thousand five hundred dollars, while 

 there is not a mortgage, or lien, of any kind, on any of 

 the property of the brothers. 



A. 0. 



