56 Our Farming. 



Perhaps you think the particular crop I raised mostly had 

 much to do with my success. I think not, only that it was the 

 proper crop for my soil and market and small farm. Some lines 

 of farming would require much more land, but there is about as 

 little money in an average crop of potatoes as in an average one 

 of wheat, or an average income from the dairy no particular 

 profit in any of them . Potatoes pay well when you get two or two 

 and one-half times the average yield, and the cost of production is 

 brought to the lowest notch that a specialist can; but so does 

 wheat or corn or the dairy. I can tell you of men who make 100 

 per cent, net in these lines, with the exception of the wheat. 



Of course, you know the old argument in favor of special 

 farming, that one can have all the tools and conveniences for 

 reducing cost of production. With three or four cows and com- 

 mon appliances can you make as good butter every time and as 

 easily, that is for as few cents per pound, as the man who has a 

 large dairy and all modern implements and conveniences ? Do you 

 think you can raise and handle two or three acres of potatoes each 

 year as cheaply as I can a dozen? I have tools, you know, to 

 plant, dig, harrow, etc., so as to save a great deal of hand labor. 

 But you will hear more about them in another chapter. 



Concentrated effort in science, in manufacturing, in mer* 

 chandising everywhere else has brought great success, and to 

 a certain extent it will make farming more profitable and more 

 pleasant. You must be the judges to what extent you can wisely 

 go. It is for me but to suggest and set you to thinking. 



