Year: 1869




of universal demand, and which can
always be sold at some price, as cot
ton. wheat wool etc, but the produc-
ton of any of these may be easily car,
ried 10 such an extent US in Il short
time, to reduce thepricc to non'pay-
ing standard.


No one doubts that if all the farmers
OF this country were to devote their at
tention chiefly to raising wheat, that
article would soon become a drug in
the market; and SO Of other products
which are in most universal demand.


10 the man who asks if we advocate
specialties in farming, meaning thereby
the cultivation of one crop to the neg
lect of al! others, we say no.


But if by that question one meaus
to ask whether the farmers chief atten-


tion should be devoted to some one
crop, while none or scarcely any, ofthe
ordinary farm crops are neglected, we
say yes.


The reasons for this are First. The
character Of the soil on one farm, or
on several farms in the same vicinity,
may be specially adapted 10 the pro-
duction ola single crop, so that labor
devoted to that crop can be made more
remunerative than when applied to
any other. Take as an example some
Of the marshy grounds OF New Jersey
which might be drained aud fitted to
produce almost any crop growing in the
same latitude, yet with slight improve
mcnts produce large and very profitable
crops of cranberrics Cutiyators should
by all means make that crop special
ty. Other lands are particularly adap-
ted to the growth of the small or large
fruits, corn, sweet or Irish potatoes,
and so on through the whole list.


There are, however, exceptions to
this rule, if we call it such, which we
may Illustrate BY an extreme case.


A man living hundred miles from
market, and having no advantages of
railroad or river transportation, finds
his soil peculiarly adapted 10 the growth
of Irish potatoes. lie would be very
unwise to make this crop a specially.


Very much depends upon nearness
to and facilities for market. And it
may be remarked, that in localities very
close to large cities, the ordinary farm
crops will not be remuncraiivc, at all,
unless ii be some of the more bulky
ones and so in the localities far In the
interior-the farmer must either raise
stock, which can transport itself, or q
crop like wool, which has large value in
small bulk. But with ordinary makct
facilities. the chief energies ofthe farm.
er should be directed to some crop
to the growth of which his soil is best
adapted.


Another reason for the affirmative
answer is, that in the successful cult
vation OF almost any crop that can be
machinery must be used; and
as different kinds of machinery are used
to some extent in raising different
crops, Il large amount Of money must
be invested by one who will successful
ly cultivate all the farm crops.


But this is not all for tobacco and
broom corn shelters are needed for
drying and storing special fixtures for
grain, for cattle and SO on. Any one
can see that it is not economy for
farmer with an ordinary sized farm TO
procure all the tools manchincry and
fixtures necessary to cultivate all the
farm crops successfully.


But there is another reason for spe.
c!alties in farming, more important
perhaps than either of the above, and
that is, by devoting his attention chief
Iy to one crop, the farmer becomes cs-
pecially skilled producing it; his oh
servation and experience enable him to
Judge, with great accuracy, what con
dition Of soil and of climate. and what
system of cultivation is best suited to
the crop. Not only iu the cultivation
Of the crop but in handling and market.
ing it, he acquires skill and tact which
he who adopts the thoroughly mixed
system, can seldom, fever. attain.


AS he requires, SO TO speak, only
one set of tools, machinery and fixtures
ne has comparatively little invested in
,hese, and as they are brought into
more constant use the investment is a
paying one.


But while we think it advisable for
'armers to give their energies chiefly to
,ne crop, we would advise them to
'aise their own meat, vegetables and
as rule also feed for their
cams.


We know very well that in the case
If almost every farmer there may be .
ZONE modifying circumstances. For
it may be better for one to buy
his -four than TO raise wheat 10 bread
=. r.. al. l. L.o ka