140 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



grain and fruit. Doubtless the man that is in possession of a 

 good grass and grazing farm has the most profitable farm in this 

 section, because with it and from it he can get the greatest 

 amount of crops with the least labor, the latter of which is a 

 matter worthy of consideration. 



It is folly for one man to undertake to do everything, and it 

 is the height of folly for a man to pursue that kind of farming 

 he has no taste or desire for. Simply because Mr. A. or Col. 

 B. has become wealthy by stock-growing, it is no criterion that 

 Mr. C. can gain a fortune in the same business, unless he is 

 particularly interested in that kind of farming. 



If a man is interested in stock-growing, then that is the kind 

 of farm-work for him to pursue ; if he has an interest in mar- 

 ket gardening, and is in the immediate vicinity of a market, he 

 will doubtless gain a livelihood by that branch of agriculture ; 

 if he has a desire for fruit-growing, he should enter into it with 

 his whole mind and heart. In either or all of these pursuits he 

 must have both mind and hands engaged in the work. Now we 

 suggest to every young man who has made up his mind to be- 

 come a farmer, to determine in the first place what branch of 

 farming, as there are many, he will pursue. Ponder this sub- 

 ject well beforehand, and then purchase the farm best adapted 

 to his wants and circumstances. It appears from the compet- 

 itors' statements that the corn crop the past year with them has 

 been somewhat profitable. Yet it is questioned whether, as 

 a general thing, growing corn, at the present high prices of 

 labor, can be made as profitable as some other crops. It is 

 noticed, by their statements, that they use from twenty-eight to 

 thirty loads of manure, besides in many cases some kinds of 

 fertilizers ; and it is generally supposed that one-half the value 

 of the manure and the whole of the fertilizers are consumed by 

 the crop, as the roots of the plant completely cover the ground 

 and also extend several feet instead of only a few inches, as was 

 formerly supposed. 



At the time one of these fields was gathered, the weight of 

 corn and cob was about four tons, and the weight of stover must 

 have been two or three times as much, making some twelve or 

 fourteen tons per acre. This, of course, must call heavily upon 

 the manures and soil. 



