10 



cheaper than they can grow them, the change is certainly not 

 to their detriment. 



These considerations suggest the very important questions, 

 what shall our farmers raise, and what mode of cultivation 

 shall they adopt from which tliey can expect the greatest profit ? 



In considering these questions, we should have regard not 

 only to the crops we should grow in the place of cereals, but to 

 the necessary changes involved in the introduction of so large 

 a non-agricultural population in our communities. Upon ex- 

 amination, it will be found that the location of farms is of 

 primary consequence — whether near to or remote from large 

 towns. Indeed, as lands are now cultivated, the whole system 

 of cultivation of farms in proximity to towns is so different 

 from the system of cultivation of those remote, that they may 

 ■ properly be treated separately. 



Farms near to towns have a special value for the raising of 

 a large variety of vegetables and for the production of milk, 

 for which the populations of the towns furnish a ready market. 

 Experience has shown that for the greatest profit this cultiva- 

 tion must be very thorough, and that it should be made a 

 specialty, and that small farms under a high state of cultivation 

 are the most remunerative. But this mode of culture requires 

 very large amounts of manure, which cannot be furnished from 

 the farm, as it is cultivated for crops which are not returned to 

 the soil. This is supplied from the towns — from the stables 

 and the refuse of the streets and dwellings, which can be 

 transported to the farm at little expense, and which without 

 this demand would be of no value. The requirements of farms 

 for the production of milk are different. The farms, to be 

 profitable, must be larger, and, as much of the manure needed 

 for the crops is derived from the stock, there is, of course, less 

 to be transported from the towns. 



But farmers remote from large towns have neither these 

 advantages of a market nor of manure, as the cost and time 

 required for transportation are too great in competition with 

 farmers in the vicinity of the towns. The greatest profit on 

 these farms is from tlie production of hay. This is their 



