14 



I have often been impressed with the thought, that we 

 frequently neglect our interests, by not studying more 

 closely the demands of the market; for it is as true in this, 

 as in other pursuits, that fashions are to be regarded to 

 keep apace with the times, and there are fashions in fruits 

 and vegetables as well as in dress, and it is a most impor- 

 tant feature in this as in every business to cater to tiie 

 wants of the trade, by producing the best varieties, or those 

 which are acknowledged by the dealers as ranking foremost 

 in quality and perfection of beauty; and it is very impor- 

 tant to keep this in mind when purchasing seeds. Some- 

 times a variety may possess true merit, yet because it has 

 not been thoroughly introduced to the trade, must be dis- 

 posed of at a discount. 



How often it must have occurred to you, that farming 

 differs in its fundamental principles from most other pur- 

 suits, inasmuch, that while the manufacture of cheap grade 

 goods of many industries is to the producer the most 

 profitable, yet to the cultivator of the soil the reverse of 

 this is a rule which never allows of exceptions. Therefore 

 he should adopt this plan, never to cultivate more acres 

 than he can thoroughly fertilize. There are most certainly 

 many reasons why it is consistent to concentrate our forces 

 on smaller areas than has often been the custom, for the 

 quality of most field crops is improved in proportion as the 

 quantity per acre is increased, and in proportion as the 

 quality is improved, in the same ratio will the price in- 

 crease, and equally as satisfactory is the consolation of 

 having your products sought by the market rather than 

 have them go a begging for a purchaser ; and the cost for 

 the cultivation on land in high tilth is not over seventy-five 



