88 THE FARMER S EDUCATION. 



viding his soil is adapted to the crop. There should of course 

 always be adaptation of crop to the soil upon which it is to be 

 grown. Once it is decided for what crops the soil is adapted 

 and what crops or products it will give pleasure to the farmer 

 to produce, then the energy of the farmer should be concen- 

 trated in mastering all the details which enter into their })ro- 

 duction. Success on the farm can not be obtained by fluctu- 

 ating fi'om year to year between various products. Some 

 fixed policy should be decided upon, and then that policy 

 should be adhered to and not thrown up because of one sea- 

 son's failure. By this we do not mean that one's energy should 

 be all concentrated upon one crop, but whatever crops are 

 decided upon as specialties they should not be changed from 

 year to year, because permanent success with a crop depends 

 upon mastering all the details which enter into the growth 

 and sale of that crop. There is almost no farm product for 

 which there is not a market; but it may be safely said thiit 

 there is always a greater margin of profit on those products 

 which require in their production a maximum of brains. The 

 location of the farm with reference to the market will, in n 

 large degree, determine the class of products to be produced 

 Those farms far from market, where there is necessitated a 

 long haul, or a long shipment, should produce as nearly as 

 possible a finished and concentrated product. Instead of sell- 

 ing the bulky hay it should be manufactured into a finished 

 product, as beef, or mutton, or butter and cheese. Those farms 

 within easy access of the market can better afford to sell the 

 coarser products. They are in closer touch with the con- 

 sunu-r; fluctuations of the market can be studied, and advan- 

 tage taken of any temporary rise in prices, while the farmer 

 at a distance must largely produce those articles for which 

 there is a staple demand or for which he has created a special 

 demand. 



In brief, a study of the farm should begin with the adap- 

 tation of the farm for a home, and as a means of securing a 

 competence. If it is not capable of meeting both these require- 

 ments, then some other faini or some other occupation than 

 that of a farmer should be selected. 



