The sun., 1894-08-29
FARMING Nv THE SUBURBS.
It IL Not = Profitable Pursuit.. AIthosgA
some Men Make IL Pay.

Suburban farming is one OF the seeming econ
omic mysteries Of the region tributary TO New
York. The mystery is best studied in the dis
trict Immediately to the north, because that 10
the only direction in which no large city is
found. Less than n mile beyond the city limits
on the Westchester side of the Bronx one finds
real farms. not mere market garden patches
but tracts Of 100 acres or more with pasture,
woodland, large cultivated fields, and all the
authentic marks OF the true farm. Green lanes
run hither and yon between wild untrimmed
hedge rows, gay at this season with blooming
clematis and brodered with the glory of the
golden rod. Quails whistle from hedge and
tbicket, and occasionally n rabbit shows his cot
ton tail. while native birds OF every sort riot
among the ruit-bearing shrubs and trees.
Along with all this curious incongruities.
Dusty roads that border fields of tdyllic pas
toral beauty are III with street lamps and
punctuated with fire plugs. An enormous
stump-dEawi1g maeh,ne % stands neglected in tho
barn itself leans shining bicycle of the latest
pattern. Meanwhile every foot OF the land is
held sPeculatiyely at from three to Ave times
900 men reporod idle In New York it 'h Is hard it %
The suburban farmer himself is strangely un-
, affected by his proximity to New York; He
New England. or the West. He wears an
enormous straw hat such are i'm ported at nine
SkorI fSGe sS ro% aEh
at all. He may ride bicycle, go to New York
twice month, and occasionally read daily
paper. but lac belongs 10 the soil and smacks Of
his occupation. He never gets rich from his
labor, and II he is a tenant farmer he never gets
wholesome food, and is dressed comfortably. II
not elegantly. Yet one wealthy and successful
terest and wages from hay on land at avalua-
ton OF $500 an acre. This man, whose farm
bought rather more than loo acres nearly forty
years ago for $1,000, saving to his wife:
ann ,a ,se seysna years old this farm will
He has since worked early and late without
ys6a on his tsf%os bat no
added another and larger tract, and cleared the
The suburban farmer is always in a auandary
about labor. Not one man In ten who come 70
him from employment agencies in New York
local help living at home demand 81 so per day
Sometimes that rate is paid for farm labor the
traction, and when there is any work going
there the farm laborer Is eager To be OF.
suburban farmer looking through % I Dis barn % door
Gyer IH a R perfect @ farm picture Of meadow, wood
my cabbages head don't know that in do any
Don't know. It's all that woodland the meadow
down there, and what you see In crops How
No." said a successful farmer from New
Roc helle, there isn't much in suburban farm
nR unless you raise small vegetables and soil
milk, though believe il would pay next year 20
plant corn. But there's one class OF farmers in
his region that do make money, and that's the
lverseers for rich men down in New York who
have farms for country homes because it's
cheaper 10 do that than TO travel OF 20 stay at
fashionable hotels. | know such a man. Hs
that no saved $4,000 a month by
his family TO the country. But he paid
IN oyerseer $1,000 a year and gave him a COM
Ortable house 20 farm the place; and the over
eer got rich. There are plenty OF oyerseers at
1000, 200, and 81 500 year, and It's worth
my lads while TO learn farming we'll for the
hAnce OF getting such place"