2 THE RURAL LIBEABT. 



fed, and what is to feed it in such a country where live stock is not 

 profitable? It is just this question that I hope to answer in the very 

 language of men who have worked the problem out in actual practice. 



In this section all fertility is imported, either in the form of manure 

 or fertilizers. It comes from somewhere outside the farm, and the 

 question asked is, whether the town horse stable is a cheaper manu- 

 facturing place than the fertilizer factory. It is like a dairy farmer 

 asking himself if corn and oats are cheaper than some of the newer 

 stock foods. My purpose is to show wherein the manure and fertilizers 

 differ and what peculiar values may be justly given to each. 



We took a good time for the investigation, for farmers were not 

 at all enthusiastic over their prospects, but were inclined to view the 

 matter in a conservative and businesslike way. I have been careful to 

 state what these men have done, and not what they expect to do. 



The past season has not been very profitable for grape growers. 

 While crops have been fair prices have ruled low, so that there has 

 been little left for the grower. The following statement, made by one 

 of the local papers, of the average cost of picking and selling a ton of 

 grapes was said by conservative growers to be very fair : 



Cost of packages $12.20 



Cutting and packing 8.00 



Freight' 6.00 



Cartage 3.30 



Commission 4.00 



Total $32.60 



The average price obtained for the ton of grapes was $40, while five 

 tons per acre of 500 vines would be a large yield. One can see, there- 

 fore, that there has been no fortune in grapes this year, when fair esti- 

 mates are made on the cost of fertilizing and cultivating. 



The Annals of a Fruit Farm. 



At Highland, N. Y., I met Mr. A. W. Williams, who, with his father, 

 conducts an excellent fruit business, famed in all their markets. They 

 have established a great reputation for quality, and take remarkable 

 pains not only with their growing, but with selecting and packing 

 as well. 



" How large is your farm and how is it divided in fruits ? " I asked. 



"We have about 80 acres, including woodland and hill that is not 

 cultivated. Our fruit land is divided substantially as follows : 20 aeres 

 of grapes, six acres of currants, three of raspberries, five of apples, 

 two of pears and four of peaches." 



