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Streeter, John Williams

"The Fat of the Land The Story of an American Farm"

"
"But farming is different; so much seems to depend upon winds and rains
and frosts and accidents of all sorts that are out of one's line."
"Not so much as you think, Kyrle. Of course these things cut in, but one
must discount them in farming as in other lines of business. A total
crop failure is an unknown thing in this region; we can count on
sufficient rain for a moderate crop every year, and we know pretty well
when to look for frosts. If a man will do well by his land, the harvest
will come as sure as taxes. All the farmer has to do is to make the best
of what Nature and intelligent cultivation will always produce. But he
must use his gray matter in other ways than in just planning the
rotation of crops. When he finds his raw staples selling for a good deal
less than actual value,--less than he can produce them for, he should go
into the market and buy against higher prices, for he may be absolutely
certain that higher prices will come."
"But how is one to know? Corn changes so that one can't form much idea
of its actual value.


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