Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-23
Selecting q Farm.
Prairie Farmer.

It is the exception where men use
proper care and intelligence in selecting
a farm. The whole subject is too little
understood, especially by young farmers
locating on iand-the main part of their
capital for many years, if not for their
whole lives. Real estate agents and others
desirous Of selling land, usually study the
merits of their farms and present all
the good points TO the inquirer. The
buyer must, for himself, hunt out the
defects and weigh them in his own mind.
While it is best for q farmer to have 8
we'll defined idea of the kind OF farming
he wishes tG pursue, he should allow him
self some fieklbility, so Is TO adjust his
farming somewhat to some farm that
strikes hiT, as being not only bargain
at the price asked, but being IN most re-
spects suited te his special purpose.
Selecting a farm should be given both
thought and time in looking around BY
comparing several farms which more Or
less suit the purpose, a more clearly de-
fined idea is developed of what is desired,
and by com p.rison the true value, for the
purpose desired, of each farm is more
nearly determined. In buying a three
Thousand dollar farm many farmers are
10th to spend twenty-five Or fifty dollars
and months time in looking around,
while in the majority Of cases they would
probably gain several times that amount
IN the better bargain they could secure,
besides having the satisfaction of know
ing that they have MADE g selection that
viii not be regretted. The saying among
farmers that "Threo removes are as bad
as one fire." is very true.
Outside CONSIDERATION.
The country, the climate, the oppor
tunities for good local or foreign mar
kets, the public roads and facilities OF
trans portation, tie school and special
privileges, are all to be considered in Sc
lecting q locality for home. Young
modest about looking into the future.
Most farmers eventually have families
which are far more to them than the
farm itself, and the foreszghted young
man will cot mako the mistake Of settling
in either q newly or all settled country.
where the customs are such that ne would
not wish his wife and children and him
self TO grow into them.
With many the matter Of climate counts
largely. There is great liking on the
part of many to get a climate where
they can live with little labor, where
their wants can be reduced to minimum
and their efforts gagged according to
their actual necessities. Engaging in
the production Of special crops Decessi-
tates the selection of climate where
there is assurance of perfect maturity.
Fine public roads and chep transporta-
ton routes cannot be over estimated.
School privileges should also be duly con-
sidered by the young farmer beginning
his life's work. Locating at a place at a
distance from the probable site of a
school may cause more than little re-
gret. Social opportunities should not be
overlooked. Preference should be given
a neighborhood that has congenial So
ciety-farmers and villagers to cid IN
being not only better farmer bat a bet
ter citizen. farmer who settles in the |
midst Of enterprising farmers stands a
much better chance of being enterpris- |
Ing himself than if he settles among the |
careless, inherent, and unambitious.
81,