The Russellville Democrat., 1883-02-08
Selection of a Farm.


 There are many things to be consid- cred in the selection of fa,sm. To the rieh gentleman who wishes to retire from the noise and tumult of city life. a larm has a different meaning than to the poor man who must toil daily for the maintenance of himself and family. The former will look through golden eyeglasses and seek for luxuries in the country, while the latter must obtain the necessities of life. The one will let in- dividual taste rule in the choice, the oth- CT asks himself: Is this the best place for me to do substantial farmingPf No general rules can be given for the rich man who buys farm for the purpose of spending money, while for the one who seeks to make a living from the land there are some words of advice.
 The size of a farm should be suited to the capacity of the pocket-book. Many voting farmers make the mistake of buy ing large farm with little money to pay for it There is nothing that so binds man as heavy mortgage. It eats the very heart out of the farmer. and hangs like a leaden weight upon every aspiration of his wife and chil- dren. It is better to buy small farm and have enough capital to work it well, As the surplus increases, it may be in vested in more acres, or in a better culture of those that have already proved profitable. There is size be- low which many of the economies of the farm cannot he practiced to the best advantage, and on the other hand there is danger of going beyond that acreage where the most profitable farming may be carried on. It requires considerable executive ability to manage large farm, and therefore many men are excluded from such by lack which they may not fully appreciate until the trial has been made and the failure re- corded. Farming is not like the iaking of a citadel, and cannot be done successfully with ar h and a noise. It is thoughtful and steady working out from well laid plans--a conquest for crops, and the head must be clear that wins where the seat of a campaign for life time covers town ships or even square mics. The soil is the foundation of farming, and it should be fitted to the kinds of crops that it is desired to raise. The differences in the nature and capacities of sand and clay should be understood, and a favorable mixture of the two obtained if there is an opportunity for choosing. A rich soil, with proper management, means good crops at once, but it may be as profitable to invest much less in an equal area of over cropped land. and bring it up to 8 high state of cultivation by green manuring and other methods of restoration. The farmhouse is to be the home of the family, and therefore the locality for the farm should be healthful. The richest land for the price may be on the border of a malaria breeding swamp, but the profits of the investment may be more than balanced by the doctors bills and loss of time, no. to mention the discomfort of levers in the household. It is important that there be an abundant water supply on all farms, both for the family and the live stock. There are social considera- | tions that no farmer should overlook in | making choice Of f rm. He lives not to himself alone; the hildren need the privileges of good schools, etc.; in short the community should be one in which sympathy, goodness and intelli- gence prevail.
 With good farm of proper size. healthfully located, abundantly supplied with water, good neighbors, and a | handy market, a man is so well situated | that he ought to make himself and those around him happy. Choose well, and | hold on to the choice. -1he Agricult- uriSt.