1846.] Competition of the East with the West. 205 



I am inclined to think there is a mistaken opinion very general 

 among our farmers, that they should produce at least as much of 

 certain crops as they consume; as well may it be held, that every 

 farmer should doctor his family, plead his law, or preach his gos- 

 pel, — when he can purchase cheaper than produce, or realize a 

 greater income by selling one thing and buying another, why not 

 do so. 



Men are the sport of circumstances, when 

 Circumstances are the sport of men. 



That farmer must play a loosing game who will not adapt his 

 business to circumstances and location. 



In connection with this subject we should not lose sight of the 

 different breeds of stock. One is best adapted to the dairy and 

 another to the shambles, but neither possess both properties in the 

 highest degree. And w^hile it is admitted that the Leicester, 

 South Down and Cheviot sheep are the best mutton breeds, yet I 

 see our farmers trying to compete with the west in raising Me- 

 rinos for wool. The Durham it is demonstrated is the best breed 

 for beef, on account of its size and early maturity, and we are 

 fatting and breeding dairy cattle, though we see the great west 

 flooding the country with butter, cheese and fine wool. 



But in choosing breeds of stock in this country, I find great 

 care must be taken; we have as much quackery in this line as in 

 medicine. And this is one reason, I imagine, wdiy the best are 

 not more esteemed by our farmers; the truth is they are seldom 

 met with in our quarter, though so many profess to have them, 

 we are too often led astray by the name without having informed 

 ourselves as to the true form or figm'e of these animals. 



I find we labor under another difficulty of quite a serious na- 

 ture. The United States has a great variety of climate, varying 

 in many respects from that of Great Britain, in its products, the 

 habits of the people, and modes of agriculture. These facts 

 should be carefully considered by the American farmer; while I 

 would give Europe all the credit for her fine breeds of stock, I 

 must insist that, aside from fatting and breeding, very little of her 



