SPECIALTIES IN FARMING. 249 



economically ; to grow all the varieties of grain, potatoes and 

 other roots, which would require a knowledge of the special 

 wants of each of those crops, including soils, manures, varieties 

 and cultivation ; to cultivate the various sorts of fruits, the 

 production of which in perfection requires that a man be some- 

 thing of a horticulturist ; and to attempt market gardening, 

 which is really a full trade in itself. 



Now to be able to do all the foregoing to perfection would 

 require more energy and brains than falls to the lot of any man ; 

 and we should at once decide that no one could do all that we 

 have mentioned, and do them well, or could attain to that 

 degree of perfection which should be our constant aim. 



In the mechanic arts it was found necessary, a long time ago, 

 for the purpose of becoming skilful, to divide the subject into 

 many trades. And successful manufacturers have found it 

 advantageous to subdivide still more, as by that means their work- 

 men can attain a greater proficiency in their business, and do it 

 better and more economically. This the chairman of your 

 committee found well illustrated in a recent visit to an extensive 

 machine shop, where, in the making of a simple cotton spindle, 

 one man forges, another fits, and still another grinds it, so that 

 each spindle goes through at least three hands before it is set 

 up in the spinning frame. 



Now we claim that the business of farming is at least as 

 extensive, varied, and requires as much skill for success as the 

 mechanic arts. In the latter it has been found necessary to so 

 divide the business that a man may become master of one 

 branch. Should we not follow their example, and devote our 

 time and attention to fewer branches of our business, and 

 thereby master some particular branches and make them a 

 specialty ? 



As another illustration, we will take the cabinet-maker, who 

 undertakes to make a chest or bureau ; he measures and cuts 

 his lumber, planes and fits the pieces, puts them together and 

 completes his work. This is a certain amount of skill applied 

 to the raw material, and will produce a certain result, accord- 

 ing to the skill applied ; there is no element to step between 

 and prevent it. 



But how is it with the farmer ? Can he measure the amount 

 of rain he desires for his crops and have it from the clouds and 



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