INo. 4.] THE FARMER'vS OPPORTUNITY. 241 



said: "I think I made a mistake. Instead of advising the 

 farmers to plant one acre more, I should have urged upon 

 them the necessity of cultivating all of their acres better." 

 That touched the key-note of successful farming. The 

 manufacturer, mechanic and artisan, if they expect to be 

 successful and gain and retain the trade and confidence of 

 their customers, know that they must make their products 

 of the best material, and put them together in the best 

 manner to please the eye and give the best service for which 

 they are made. There is always a strife among them to see 

 which shall get and retain the reputation of doing the best 

 work and securing the largest number of customers. Here, 

 too, lies the farmer's opportunity. Cultivate all your acres 

 better, strive to raise a better crop of hay, corn, potatoes, 

 vegetables, fruits or any crop that you grow on your farm. 

 Have the best herd of cows, the best flock of sheep, the 

 finest yoke of cattle and young growing stock, the best 

 team of horses. Raise all of your own stock, if possible, 

 gain a reputation for having the best, and your stock will 

 always be in demand and will bring you remunerative prices, 

 and your success will stimulate others to make an eflEbrt to 

 do better than you have done. 



If this were done, not many years would elapse before a 

 great chano;e would come over the farmino- community. The 

 farms would be better cultivated, the fences would be in 

 better order, the waysides wxnild be cleaner, the brush and 

 stones would be cleared out of mowing and pasture where 

 practicable and where not practicable the land left to grow 

 up to forest. 



Lay out no more work than you can do thoroughly. Keep 

 your buildings in good repair. It is not necessary for com- 

 fort and attractive appearance to have an imposing mansion, 

 you may not be able to afford that, but what you do have 

 take care of. Have no loose boards hanging by one nail and 

 threatening to fall in every high wind, and leave an ugly 

 looking gap that has the appearance of shiftlessness. 

 Promptly make repairs, for one nail now may save nine 

 later. Keep the lawn about the house neat and free from 

 rubbish that would mar its beauty. Plant a tree here, a 

 shrub there, a rose bush in this corner, a flowering plant 



