15 



•^he cost of keeping. Now if one could obtain a stock 

 of dairy cows which would produce three thousand quarts 

 per year, milk could be furnished the consumer at a less 

 price and a good profit to the producer. Any farmer 

 ■who can procure a herd of such cows can make money 

 •with them. 



'There is no doubt but that the production of stock of 

 ^ quality equal to this, is entirely within the range of 

 possibility. The practical question is, How shall we 

 get such animals ? and this I regard as the most im- 

 portant point for every farmer who intends to make 

 -milk-raising a prominent part of his business. In the 

 present condition of stock-breeding, it is impracticable 

 for him to go into the market and purchase them, be- 

 cause such cattle are the exception, and those who 

 own them do not often offer them for sale. The only 

 way in which we can improve our milk stock seems 

 •to be to raise it ourselves, and perhaps the greater value 

 ^of such animals will pay for doing it. 



These are some of the points which an enterprising 

 farmer must consider, and decide, if he expects to meet 

 with success in his calling. But after he has decided on 

 the most judicious plan of management for his peculiar 

 circumstances, he will find new difficulties confronting 

 him. Our hard lands of New England will not produce 

 •paying crops Avithout a constant and large application of 

 fertilizers. The source from which they shall be drawn 

 will be to him a never ending perplexity. 



The two principal sources of supply are stable and 

 oommercial manures. Our proximity to large towns en- 

 ables many of the farmers of this county to obtain the 

 former, and where this is practicable there is nothing 

 which can supply its place. It is idle to attempt to car- 



