The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-02-25
From the Taunton .4duocate.
ADVANTAGES OF SMALL FARMS

A single uncultivated acre, is a real
physical evil in any state, and there can be
no doubt that extensive tracts, which are
now waste would have been reclaimed,
and IN incalculable addition been made to
the produce and population of the country,
II the system of large farms had not been
obtained among US. In small farm each
part is seen by the eye of its master, and
has is due tillage. The work of husband
rY lschiehy performed by the farmer and his
fanny. They spare no pains to cultivate
that soil which assures their subsistence
and renee the glebe, subdued and MANFRED
win assiduous care, makes 4 large return
to that labor which is bestowed on it's cul-
lure A vast population springs up, and
the land is covered with the dwellings of
multitude Of cultivators who find, each, in
the Produce of that small fam which he
occopleS decent and comfortable mainten-
ance. II happens otherwise where farms
are OF large extent. In large farm
many parts are overlooked or neglected,
and a more negligent culture is bestowed
by hired laboyers more remiss and less
interested in the crop. The great farmer
Is placed in state of higher plenty, and
his dwelling, his furniture, and his table
express his opulence but while he enjoys
this aliiuence, and while luxury gains ad-
mission among a rank of men to whose con-
dltlon 1t is Ill suited, the populousness of the
country decays, the number of industrious
cultlvators is diminished, and extreme indi-
gence is too often found in the dwellings of
those who Inhabit around. This practice
has tor some time prevailed in England
the number of small farms is diminished,
and the proprietors of estates have in many
instances adopted the plan of laying many
small farms into one large farm. Agricul-
ture has not profted by this alteration.
The glehe stinted in its tillage, where a
single master grasps whole domain, has
not yielded a more abundant harvest. and
the markets, less amply provided in some
important articles, miss that supply which
they were accustomed to draw from small
iarms. The population OF the country has
fallen. While the mansion of the great
farmer has risen more ostentatiously. those
numerous tenenents that were scattered
through the fields, or that encircled the
village green, have disappeared, and the
" deserted village" has furnished a theme
for the poets song. The ancient tenant
hndIng no occupation in the fields, where
ne spent his youth, forsakes his native shore
and seeks with his family another climate
where his industry is better rewarded, or
where he serves to swell the ranks of sick
ness, poverty, and death. This is not all.
LET It be remambarnd that firm. and Jude
pendent spirit is better nourshed among
that rank of men, by whom small farms are
cultivated. They are actuated by the same
spirit. They derive courage from their
hunters and resources. The bold animate
the tinid. The resolute confirm the waver-
ing. They take their measures in common 4
they prosecute them with vigor, and their
simple virtues will give its character to
county, and uphold in the hour of danger,
the rights and liberties of all.