80 THE FARMER S EDUCATION. 



The study of the farm means the acquirement of a detailed 

 knowledge of the soils, exposures, and moisture, in connection 

 with crops adapted to them. It is no reflection on farmers to 

 say that few of them know how to study the farm or anything 

 else. The art of study is itself one of the most difficult of all 

 arts. The main object of a University education is to learn 

 how to study, and the seven or eight years required for the 

 Bachelor's degree is none too much to acquire that ability. It 

 is, therefore, no reflection on any one who has not had that 

 training, to say that he probably does not know how to study, 

 and the following suggestions as to methods for studying the 

 farm may serve to show how a trained mind might approach 

 the subject. 



First, make a complete list of farm crops possible to be 

 raised in the locaUty. Among these are almost sure to be 

 some not now raised at all. Mark this list in the order of 

 their importance as indicated by their relative volume. Those 

 of which the most are used are most certain of prompt sale. 

 Against each crop note the nature of the soil and climate best 

 adapted to it. Then study the markets for each product, your 

 distance from them, and the cost of transportation thereto. 

 Flax products, for example, are consumed in linen and twine 

 factories, and in oil mills. A farmer at a great distance from 

 either might find it difhcult to dispose of his crop even if well 

 situated for its economical production. Wheat, on the con- 

 trary, is salable everywhere because consumed everywhere. 

 It is always an advantage to raise a crop largely produced in 

 the vicinity, because its volume will tend to attract cash buyers, 

 while a crop of which little is produced must always be trans- 

 ported to market at producer's risk and expense, and usually 

 sold through commission merchants. At the same time men 

 of exceptional shrewdness and vigor often do well by devot- 

 ing themselves to something out of the way for which they 

 liave discovered or created a special market. 



When, by carefully eliminating from the list of possi- 

 bilities those crops which seem to offer least hope of profit, it 

 has been reduced to a comparatively small number, it is time 

 to take up the capacities of the farm. These are determined 



