1846.] Letters on Farming. 95 



food. But as soon as it is ascertained that the amount in market 

 is greater, and for sale cheaper, the demand will be increased, and 

 prices will again become firm and profitable. The fact now is 

 that far less of wholesome vegetables, in the spring of the year, 

 find their way to the large cities than the health of the popula- 

 tion demands, and \vith the health are implicated still more im- 

 portant considerations, of morals, &c. A vastly increased quan- 

 tity might be consumed, and would be, if it were to become so 

 plenty as once to become more necessary than it now is. The 

 city of New York now depends for its usual supply of fresh vege- 

 tables for its vast populace, upon the few acres of ground culti- 

 vated for this purpose in its immediate vicinity. It is capable, with 

 advantage, of absorbing a much larger amount, and it would af- 

 ford a profitable and endless market for thousands of acres of land 

 within sixty miles. 



Again, the supply of articles for winter food is gathered from 

 all parts of the country. The production of these is not even con- 

 fined to the state, but they are brought from the far west, and with 

 all the apparent abundance there is actual need for more. When 

 we see the single article of potatoes alone, brought from all parts 

 of this country not only, but even imported from Ireland and France, 

 we ought to be stimulated to greater energy in our agricultural 

 affairs. If the fields in the Hudson valley, now bearing a pro- 

 fitless and foolish harvest of wheat and rye, were planted with 

 this great staple, as it may be called, the growers would find their 

 pockets heavier after they send their produce to market this fall. 

 See Col. Carmichael's article in April No. for proof But I 

 have what appears to me a far more important and profitable 

 article to mention, and that is fruit. The raising of fruit for 

 the supply of our great markets at home is a business of no lit- 

 tle consequence, and it is not half done. Half do I say? The 

 beginning is hardly made. Look for a moment at the quality of 

 fiuits with which the markets are supplied. They are by no 

 means of the best character. Thousands of barrels of poor fruit 

 are, every year, sold and bought in the city of New York alone, 

 because the purchasers can get no better. Good fruits are always 



