Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-16

Small Farms as a Conservative Power.
From the Providence Press.
The policy of New England from the start has
been in favor of small farms. Some other states
tolerated baronial grants, which allowed the
land to be absorbed by great proprietors, but
the result was disastrous. Our older readers
recollect the fierce contests between the anti
renters of New York and the PATRON. An
amendment Of the state constitution had to be
made SO as to necessitate the division of over
grown estates before deadly feud, which
menaced the peace of the state, could be healed.
Well did Wendell Phillips say: Capital
less did the empire state accept barn-burner
constitution" And our national legislature by
homestead laws, has sought to multiply the
class Of landhOlders. 1t has been felt that the
more there are who have direct interest in the
filling # the soil, the larger the class Of those
who give hostage to order.
AT times we have felt fear Of the mischev-
Ons results OF the purchase of large sections Of
lands by capitalists for wheat raising. class
of bonanza farmers are seeking large returns
from the virgin soil Of our younger states and
territories. They are unanxious about gathering
class OF actual settlers on their broad acres
but desire only labOrers Sowing and reapng
require but few weeks of actual labor. and if
they can secure workers enough to manage their
plOughs harrOWs reapers and binders it ia
part of their policy. They can be barons their
labOrers serfs or Ishmaelites. This course may
purchase large profits to the landholder how
ever, but it fails to supply intelligent citizens
for the state. Happily it cannot be permanent
system. Even if occasional droughts or other
drawbacks endangered not the profits the
soil would soon become exhausted. It demands
diversified agriculture, a rotation and variety
of crops, to exempt land from ultimate sterii-
ity. To manage successfully, smaller quantities
OF land must be held by individuals, and wisely
titled.
And this brings us to point of local import
ance. Complaint has been made that farming
towns Of New England are fast becoming de-
populated. HOmesteads that were once Occu-
pied by vigorous families are almost forsaken
Houses are tumbling down; gardens are over
grown with weeds; fields are growing up to
forests. and everything betOkens neglect Now,
there are farmers who protest against this
policy as suicidal Not long ago we were talk
| ing with sagacous yeOman. He ridiculed the
notion that Rhode Island need depend for it's
FOOD on distant regions Our own brightly titled
can largely feed its people. He shows his faith
by his works. He has brought few acres into
| rich garden, whence he draws o revenue of
hundreds OF dollars. He uses manure without
| stint obtains the choicest seed, works diligent-
ly and sklllfully, and supplies an entire village
with peas, beets. lettuce and cabbages. And.
not content with this, he makes his moving
| fields grOan under the burden Of grass And
what he Is doing hundreds Of others can do II
our sturdy farmers will cling to their patrimo-
NAL acres. Let the restless and the Immigrant
seek the west, but the vigorous son of New
England can proitably stick to the home of his
fathers.