334 THE FAT OF THE LAND 
more than 7000 bushels in my granary, I pur- 
chased 5000 bushels of corn and as much oats 
against a higher market. The corn cost 27 cents 
a bushel and the oats 22, delivered at Exeter, 
the 10,000 bushels amounting to $2450, to be 
charged to the farm account. 
I was now prepared to face the food problem, 
for I had more than 17,000 bushels of grain to 
supplement the amount the farm would produce, 
and to tide me along until cheap grain should 
come again, or until my land should produce 
enough for my needs. The supply in hand plus 
that which I could reasonably expect to raise, 
would certainly provide for three years to come, 
and this is farther than the average farmer looks 
into the future. But I claim to be more enter- 
prising than an average farmer, and determined 
to keep my eyes open and to take advantage of 
any favorable opportunity to strengthen my 
position. 
In the meantime it was necessary to force my 
trees, and to secure more help for the farm 
work. To push fruit trees to the limit of healthy 
growth is practical and wise. They can accom- 
plish as much in growth and development in 
three years, when judiciously stimulated, as in 
five or six years of the “lick-and-a-promise” kind 
of care which they usually receive. 
A tree must be fed first for growth and after- 
ward for fruit, just as a pig is managed, if one 
wishes quick returns. To plant a tree and leave 
