120 



from following it, if tliey nntlcistaiul the businct^t;, through four 

 of -svant. 



If one is not honi to the jmrsuit, it Avill take a long time for 

 him to learn all al)0ut the eare of the farm, or enough of the 

 varied operations re<[uired to make it pay. 



It has been well said, that probably no mcclidnicul pursuit 

 demands so mucli knowledge for its sueeessful prosecution as 

 farming. 



This may at first seem strange, but when we think of the 

 many things a farmer m^ist know, such as the nature of the soil 

 of different parts of his farm, and how to remedy any deficien- 

 cy that may exist, so as to adapt it to the wants of the crops 

 he wishes to produce ; the methods of culture required by dif- 

 ferent crops ; the most advantageous way of disposing of them ; 

 the care of stock and of farm machinery ; for in these days of 

 high labor, few can afford to do by hand anything that can be 

 done by a machine, we have outlined a business that de- 

 mands a mind clear and well-informed, a strong arm, and a 

 stout heart. 



Of the other conditions of success I should jjhicc first, a 

 steady pertinacity of effort to make things better than they are, 

 a man should have ever before him an ideal farm, perfect in all 

 its ap[)uintmeuts, to whicli his actual farm should be made to 

 approach as nearly as may be. 



This will keep him out of the ruts, and incline him to pro- 

 gress, in ever}' department of his business. 



One should also keej) informed as to the relative value of 

 crops he can raise, for at present great changes are going on in 

 the prices of staple articles of farm produce, and he is wise 

 who takes advantage of tlie market to grow those crops that 

 will sell to tlu- best advanta<i-e. At the time of this writinir 

 hay is worth in Salem .$oS to $40 per ton, and corn can be 

 bought for from $o4 to $.'>6 per ton. It does not require nuicli 

 reflection to see that it is nmch easier and more profitable to 

 raise and sell hay, and buy corn for use on the farm, than to 

 produce the corn. 



