196 -PRACTICAL AGRICULTURE. 



capability of soils, may be aided by attention to tlie 



following paragrapbs. 



HOW^ TO ESTIMATE A FARM. 



869. In order to make my observations as practical 

 as may be, I will suppose that I were about to pur- 

 chase a farm. Let it be supposed to be at a fixed price, 

 and my only question to be, can I afford to give that 

 price? 



370. In the first place, I would examine that farm, 

 just as the plainest farmer in the country would. I 

 would inspect the crops now on the farm. I would as- 

 certain what had been done to make them what they 

 are. I would inquire what amount of stock had been 

 kept on the farm for years past ; what had been the 

 character of the stock ; whether the farm is well 

 watered ; whether it has sufficient wood and fencing 

 stuff; whether the buildings are in good condition ; if 

 not, what amount of money would make them such as 

 would satisfy me; whether the land slopes to the 

 south, north, east, or west, or is level ; whether it 

 is adapted to the kind of husbandry which I have 

 most in view ; how it is situated with relation to a 

 village, to water power, and to market. 



VARIETY OF SOILS— NAMES. 



871. If these, and similar questions, were satisfac- 

 torily settled, I would ascertain whether the farm was 



