The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-07-26
Village Farming.

George E. Waring, Donald G.. Mitch
ell, Orange Judd and some other rich
and well-to-do farmers have lately writ
ten attractive articles for the american
Agricultewist, Scribner and the atlantic
on village farming; that farmers should
build their residences in groups or vii
lagos. These writer's contend that in
this way ii would add greatly to the So
cia1 condition of farmers families and to
their happiness. It would give more
society for the young people of evening
and other leisure times, when they could
not meet II scattered over large extent
of country. It is also contended that
farmers could have better and more con-
venient schools; and that better and
more intelligent families, if they could
have these advantages, would engage in
agriculture, and thereby elevate that
branch of industry. The Iowa State
Register makes the following objections:
There are many advantages to this
plan. But there are more serious OBJ
jections. To succeed with rearing stock,
there must be constant care and atten-
ton, and this cannot be done if the resi-
dence be distant half mile or mile
from the barn, stables or pastures.
Stock must be looked after at all times, on
certain occasions. The crops, too, have
to be watched for trespassing stock. To
do this the family must be in the midst
Of the farm. To succeed financially the
farmer must be at his work early and
late, and after weary and protracted
days labor he does not wish to go a mile
or two for his supper. The cattle, hogs,
horses, chickens, etc., will have to be
kept on the farm, and not in the farm
village The large amount OF food can
not, without great expenditure Of time,
be hauled to the village to be fed. nor
would it be very desirable village if
all the domestic animals from twelve or
fifteen farms were congregated in a
small space Of territory about the vii
lage. And in this case the manure
would be more than half wasted before
it was returned to the farm. And the
congregation of fifteen farmers fami-
lies in village would cause more fash
loRable hving-mOre expense, and more
idle time. With the present prices of
produce this could not be sustained by
the farm, especially by farm which is
run and cultivated some distance from
the residence. We are aware this plan
is recommended by that class Of farm
ers who do not expect to do any Of the
work themselves, but to have farmers
to live on the farm, watch the stock
and labor early and late. IT this be
their plan, it is just as well for them to
have more Of the Injuries and social
advantages Of life which they desire;
but they must have some other resource
to supply expenses than the farm. IF
farmers would, however, do as mer-
chants, manufacturers, ETC., do, not sell
the produce of their farms until the
price would yield them comfortable
living, then they could command the
situation, and live as far as they please
from the smell Of pig-stys and the ef1u-
via of the barn-yard; but it will never
probably be the case; farming will have
to be done not only by constant and
watchful labor, but it must be just
where it can be superintendent day and
night Farm villages would be delight
full, where the farm was run for amuse-
ment, having an abundance of other
means for expenses; but these writer's
who are spinning out such fine argu-
ments in favor Of these villages we
Judge have never fully comprehended
the constant care and watchfulness
necessary to conduct farm success
fully"