New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-07-12
BUYING LAND.

We consider it no more meritOrious to be q
good farmer than to be good worker in any
other department Of useful industry and yet we
advise every one who is in doubt as to what
he shall do for q livelihood to apply himself
to the soil. Bread goeth not out of fashion !;
and even though men were to refuse to buy
your grain, you could nevertheless eat it. We
manage to have "panic" and financial break
down every few years and, while almost every
one is unfavorably affected by one Of these
tOrnadOes, the farmer who is out Of debt feels
it less than most others. 1t is very true that
farming might be overdone, but very certain
that it will not be. We are building more
miles of railroads this year-we built more
last year-than any other people on earth ever
built in a year and every mile of new railroad
makes a market for food while it is in progress,
and increases the value of some farming lands
thereafter. We have mines to open, furnaces
to erect, factories to set in motion, and cities
to build-all of them making markets for food,
and increasing the general value of land.
We advise no man to speculate nor 10 run in
debt. No matter how flattering the prospect,
if you are out of debt keep out Debt is sOr-
row; debt is slavery; debt is an enemy of
sound, refreshing sleep. Beware
Nor, have we anything to say in behalf of
4" lots" corner or otherwise They may be
cheap there may be money in them; we know
some who have bought land good many who
have sold) them to profit: do with them or
without them as you may see fit.
But, within sight of Trinity steeple, there
live not less than One Hundred Thousand
families in houses or parts of houses that they
do not own, paying the better portion Of their
income weekly, monthly quarterly, to land
lords or their agents; prospecting when times
are good and going behind when they are dull :
sometimes flush, and then again hard up some
prudent and frugal others reckless and prodi-
gal; two-thirds of them likely to die as they
have lived, and be carried out in their collins
from other mems houses ceasing to pay rent
only when they cease to live. To these, one
and all, we say, You should try to own land ::
if not this year, then next; if not in OF near
the City, then in the wide, free country. Buy
land
There is much land held above its value !;
but you need not buy that In the average,
land can be bought very cheap in this country,
if yOu are not too particular about your loca-
ton. Even when farms along the great high.
ways are held at high figures, you can buy it,
Oh the crossroads and in the back settlements,
for moderate prices. We have known fair
tracts sold at less than $50 per acre not ten
years back within two hours ride Of our pave
ments; while at least One Million acres of
New-Jersey may still be bought at or under
$25 per acre. '.1-l oy-L3-- .-Lt a
In the South, there are more lands offered
at or below $15 pei acre than above that mark !;
and very fair timbered lands may be had for
50 per acre. And these are the very lands
that one who does not want them for present use
should buy; for the timber will soon be worth
far more than the land now costs. Riding
through eastern Illinois, not long ago, an old
farmer remarked, al came to this region thirty
years ago, and paid 81 25 per acre for my
land; l am now selling the timber from a
/" part of it for 900 per acre." The country is
full OF chances for those who can afford to
wait to Do nearly as well as that. You can