No. 4.] NEW ENGLAND FAEMEKS. 211 



use ; and many a little thing that costs but little time to do, 

 careful not to neglect that place where only life can be en- 

 joyed, — the home. Be sure wife, mother or sister has those 

 little conveniences which are so fruitful in saving time and 

 steps to those whose duties are many. 



The most important spot on every farm is the garden, 

 which should be planned to contain all those different vege- 

 tables enjoyed by the several members of the family ; and 

 one needs only to try, to realize how well you can supply a 

 large famil}^ on a small area. My good father always wanted 

 fruit of some kind on the table at meals, either in its natural 

 or preserved state, and to that end all fruits were grown with 

 more or less success ; and to live without them would be a 

 hardship indeed, and all these can be had with but little time 

 and care if attended to properly. You can also adorn your 

 homes with many a shrub and flower by using care at time 

 of planting and pruning when needed. The better half en- 

 joys this part of home adornments, which with the well-kept 

 lawn helps to make the old homestead the favorite place for 

 the boy and girl who are among the essentials to an enjoy- 

 able home on the farm. 



What crops shall we devote our energy to? These of 

 course we must adapt to our conditions. It would be folly 

 to attempt to grow cranberries among the Berkshire hills 

 to compete with our friends from Cape Cod. But our Cape 

 Cod people would hardly be able to compete with Worcester 

 County in the production of milk. And your distance from 

 market shall also decide what crop or specialty will be most 

 profitable for you to cultivate. 



If the dairy is selected, study it carefully. Have a silo of 

 sufficient capacity to give your cows at least one succulent 

 feed per day, and add thereto such necessary feeds as will 

 make a properly balanced ration, and not waste a part of 

 your fodder for lack of proper assimilation. See to it 

 that they have proper care and proper stables. The most 

 successful dairy man is the owner who feeds and cares for 

 them himself. I believe feed and care show better results 

 than breeds. But select such cows for the dairy as will be 

 sure to pay a profit over cost of keep, when that cost is given 

 on an economical basis. Do not keep enough boarders to 



