Proceedings of the Farmers^ Club. 343 



My answer is, lie must educate himself. I dou't mean by study of 

 books principally. Books in farming are very useful when the stu- 

 dent has taught himself how to use them — how to separate the grain, 

 from the chaff; but the education I propose is that which every man 

 in any sort of business gets from it, and others who are engaged in 

 the same occnpation. To obtain it he must cultivate a habit of 

 observing — especially of observing those matters having a near or 

 remote connection with his calling ; and of course this habit implies 

 or forms a habit of reasoning upon or inquiring into the causes of the 

 things he observes. How, then, is this habit of observation and reas- 

 oning to be brought into being ? Before proceeding to answer, let 

 me say a word as to my own experience. Thirty years ago I was at 

 the head of a large flirni ; having been brought up on one, I had, of 

 course, some knowledge of my business. I believe I was called a 

 pretty good farmer. I thonght I did pretty well myself. I don't 

 think so now. For the last twenty years I have had nothing to do 

 with the farm ; but I have had a garden of about one-tenth of an. 

 acre. My aim has been to so manage this as to obtain the greatest 

 amount of products from my limited area — cultivating most, but not 

 all of the common garden vegetables and small fruits. The cost of 

 labor and manure being of minor importance — quantity and quality 

 of the whole being preferred to size of single specimens. From this 

 experience I believe I have learned more of matters one who culti- 

 vates the soil should know, than I did on the farm when I managed 

 iew acres instead of square rods. Not that 1 have learned much 

 new ; for I find that every fact and truth I now believe I have 

 attained, opens up a vista of at least two other facts that I have not 

 reached. 



Now for the mode of acquiring a habit of observing the things 

 an agriculturist should see and study. 



Let neighborhood clubs of from five to ten firms be formed — not 

 more than ten should make the association. Each member to select 

 a quarter of an acre of good land, and resolve that he will make 

 that spot produce the most in value which his skill, labor, or means 

 will allow. If a quarter of an acre be thought too small an area 

 for his best efibrts, let it be enlarged when the cultivator has suc- 

 ceeded, not merely in bringing it to its highest point of fertility, but 

 in extracting from its fertility the largest amount of specific crops. 

 I think most men will find a quarter of an acre will afford scope for 

 the exercise of all their spare care, thought and labor for years. Let 



