SHALL I BE A FARMER f 1 



he should put his theories in cold storage and follow the 

 practice of the most successful neighbors as closely as 

 possible for the first few years. Even then he will make 

 mistakes enough. The worst mistake of all is to assume 

 that the farmers are all ignorant and unbusinesslike. 

 They are the fathers and brothers of our mighty " captains 

 of industry " and are usually as efficient for their condi- 

 tions as the successful city man is for his. 



Inexperience is so serious a handicap that farmers are 

 very loath to hire any one from the city except for very 



FIG. 2. One of the better farm homes in Minnesota. 



simple kinds of work, as picking fruit, picking up potatoes, 

 weeding, and similar tasks. 



If one desires to have a chance to learn all phases of 

 farming, he should not expect much pay until he be- 

 comes of use. If an inexperienced person is allowed 

 to use machinery and take care of stock and crops, 

 the farmer is almost certain to have serious losses, un- 

 less he has another person to watch the beginner almost 

 constantly. 



6. The farm a home enterprise. The home and the 

 business are so closely united on the farm that success de- 

 pends to a large extent on the home. 



Much of the farm work is done in the house. The 

 hired-man may be boarded, the milk pails are washed, the 



