SPECIALTIES IN FARIVnNG. 93 



truth of this problem admits of an exception, it need not be 

 sought for in any department of farm husbandry. 



There is not a domestic animal on the fann, nor a plant or 

 a flower in the field, which does not delight in an interview 

 with the husbandman, and hastens to respond to his kind and 

 intelligent treatment. If the young man is discreet in the 

 choice of a pursuit in life, it matters but little what that pursuit 

 may be, providing he has an abiding determination to do for 

 it ever}i;hing that will promote its advancement. This con- 

 clusion must have forced itself upon all who have been close 

 observers of human conduct. I know a man who commenced 

 business with a capital consisting of a single ear of pop-corn. 

 He still continues his business, but lives in comparative afflu- 

 ence. I know a man who from year to year tills a single 

 half-acre of land ; it is enclosed with a tight board-fence ten 

 feet high. The enclosure is stocked with fowls, and he grows 

 grapes, pears and quinces, and as near perfection as any that 

 it has ever fallen to my lot to examine. He is a hard stu- 

 dent, an unremitting worker, and withholds nothing from his 

 pets which he thinks will accrue to their benefit. He rea- 

 lizes for his labor about $1,200 annually, and has for many 

 years. Neither curculio, or rosebug, or frost, or drouth 

 impairs his success. His business is a practical illustration 

 of the lesson I have endeavored to enforce in this paper. On 

 the specialist we must depend for the removal of every obsta- 

 cle which lies in the path of agricultural progress. All true 

 progress in agriculture, aided by science, has resulted from 

 pursuing the cou'-se I have endeavored to outline. By such 

 a course Mr. Edwin Hammond of Vermont came to under- 

 stand so well the principles of breeding, that every desirable 

 quality in a sheep distinguished his flock from all others. 

 The Collins' and Bakewell's in the old country spent long 

 and studious lives in improving their flocks, and with such 

 marvellous success that they are justly regarded as public 

 benefactors. We are to a great extent feeling our way in 

 the dark ; we are walking by faith, and shall continue to do 

 so until each unsolved problem in agriculture is entrusted to 

 the care of competent and enthusiastic investigators. 



In view of the marvellous results which have rewarded the 

 scientist during the past few years, what may we not expect 



