4 Hints on Vegetable and Fruit Farming. 



what class of agriculturists have held their heads above water 

 during the late hard times, it will be seen that those who may be 

 termed specialists have fared the best, generally speaking. The 

 t!^rm "specialist" includes all breeders of stock of reputation, 

 vegetable growers, fruit growers, dairy farmers, and seed growers. 



There is an increasing demand in all countries, from China 

 to Peru, for b^nglish breeding-stock of all descriptions. The 

 statistics of the annual statement of the Board of Trade show 

 that whereas the number of live animals, horses, cattle, sheep,' 

 and pigs, that were exported from this country in 1875 was 

 9572, of the declared value of 314,012/. ; the number exported 

 in 1880 had increased to 10,672, of the declared value of 

 425,400Z. Surely there is room for a great extension of this 

 trade. Foreign buyers would be encouraged by the lessened 

 prices that would result from more breeders going into this busi- 

 ness, and these prices would still be most remunerative. The 

 noted herds of some English breeds are, in certain instances, so 

 much reduced by the demand from abroad, that the old saying 

 has been quoted about killing the goose that lays the golden 

 eggs. This was urged as a reason for the short entries of some 

 breeds of horses and cattle at the last Show of the Royal Agri- 

 cultural Society at Derby. The exportation of fine wool from 

 England is increasing in a rapid ratio. In 1875, 10,536,523 lbs. 

 of wool were exported from the United Kingdom, and 

 17,197,300 lbs. in 1880. The exportation of seeds has increased 

 in this same period from 119,060 cwts. in 1875, to 125,742 cwts. 

 in 1880, and buyers from all countries are always ready to pur- 

 chase good seeds of new varieties, or seeds of the best varieties 

 of all kinds of cultivated plants. We must endeavour in every 

 way to increase the exportation of specialities, and indeed all 

 kinds of farm produce, and to keep up the reputation which the 

 energy of the English farmers and the peculiar suitableness of 

 the soil and climate have gained. Instead of looking back to 

 Protection and turning ready ears to those who advocate unsound 

 doctrines of political economy, we must try to make our stock, 

 our wool, and all our produce as good as possible, and much 

 desired by the people of all nations. 



There also is a great and an increasing demand at home for 

 the minor products of the land, some of which may now be classi- 

 fied as necessities ; others in a degree as luxuries, because of their 

 high prices. Fine qualities of cheese, good butter, milk, cream, 

 eggs, chickens and poultry of all kinds, would have an extra- 

 ordinary sale if only the prices were reasonable. And there is 

 no doubt that all these things could be produced for sale at reason- 

 able rates, and at the same time would yield a good profit if 

 farmers would direct their minds and their energies to the work. 



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