238 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Puln Doc. 



the reading of books and })apers relating to his vocation, and 

 thus bj learning of the experience of others, of their successes 

 or failures, he can go about his work in a more intelligent 

 manner. He can study his soil, and find out by experiment 

 the crops best adapled to the difierent plots he M'ishes to culti- 

 vate. A great deal can be learned by going to market towns 

 and mingling with marketmen, thus g-aining- new ideas of 

 the constantly increasing demand for the products of the 

 soil and of the best time to put them upon the market. 



One of the best opportunities for information is obtained 

 by joining a good live farmers' club or grange, and faithfully 

 attending the meetings and taking part in the discussions. 

 In all this the farmer will keep his mind active, and receive 

 and impart useful information. Let him visit the agricult- 

 ural fairs, and observe with close attention the various 

 exhibits of stock, machinery, seeds, grain, vegetables, fruit, 

 the products of the dairy and kitchen and the ladies' handi- 

 work, drawings, paintings, etc. Let him mingle with the 

 people, and listen to their observations as the difierent points 

 are discussed. He cannot help but learn something, and 

 carry away with him valuable information which will help 

 him in his own life on the farm. Let him visit the Ag-ri- 

 cultural College, and look over the farm and barns, and 

 study as well as he can the growth and fertilization of the 

 different crops, to see whether the methods in use there are 

 adapted to his own farm or locality. . In so doing he can add 

 largely to his stock of information, and store up a good deal 

 that will be useful and profitable for his future work. 



We farmers do so much work in a hap-hazard way that a 

 great deal of time and strength are wasted, and with little 

 good result, thus giving us an excuse for grumbling and 

 finding fault with all our efibrts. Here is an opportunity 

 for the farmer to put in his best work, to put into practice 

 the knowledge he has been storing up, and thus help to put 

 him on the right track to success. 



The farmer should study his farm, to see what crops to 

 grow that are best adapted to his locality. If near a large 

 town or city, vegetables and small fruits such as strawberries, 

 raspberries, currants, peaches and plums can be grown to a 

 profit. If they are well cultivated and are properly handled 



