Graham guardian., 1895-09-06
Mormon Farming Life.

anu tne west possess many pc
culiar traits of character, among the
most noticeable are those of col
onial customs. No colony founded
by the people ever fails or becomes
disorganized. The men and wo-
men are called by church authori-
ties to settle upon arid lands and
reclaim and always respond to the
dictatorial mandates of their au-
thorities. Scores of beautiful little
cities now adorn spots in Utah that
a few years ago were not regarded
as fit for the habitation of Indians.
The deserts have been conquered
by irrigation and luxuriant vegeta-
ton covers the earth where once
not even sage brush could grow.
A spirit of cooperation prevails
among the Mormons to greater
extent than with any other class
of colonists in the West. The or
ganization is such that an officer
presides over five lay members and
counsels from superior officials as
to the best policy to pursue in all
matters. Colonies are organized
primarily for the advancement of
church interests, which depends, of
course, upon the individual success
of the colonists. The irrigation
canals necessary for all colonies in
the West are constructed by coop
Grafton of those interested. The
products of the farm are sold and
machinery purchased through the
same principle Incorporation.
Utah is composed of numerous
towns where citizens reside. The
farms are situated around the little
colonies. Some farmers travel five
miles morning and evening, going
to and from work. No fencing is
to be seen except surrounding a
few pasture fields. The co-opera-
tion plan of colonies secures the
safety of the farm and prevents
damage from rowing animals. One
man is as much interested as an
other in the growing crops, the
ripened grain and the harvested
stacks. The entire colony cares
for the property of each other and
individual prosperity thereby in
sures colonial happiness.
Colony life among the Mormons
increases the social and moral OBJ.
legations so as to make the people
better. The spirit of competition
IS more strongly enforced in col
ony life. Men and women compete
for honors in superiority Of de-
meanor, dress, education and re-
fnement. The desire for individ-
ual wealth is not diminished in CO.
lonial organization. Every family
desires a home, and as result OF
their teachings 80 per cent of the
Mormon families own their homes.
The consumers of commodities are
more thoroughly trained and the
tastes more completely modernized
by systematic colonial admins
tration.
The Mormons have demonstrated
that colony life is conducive to
healthfulness. A better sanitary
condition prevails among colonies
and diseases are more easily con-
trolled. Health brings wealth, and
wealth insures the comforts of life.
Colonial schools are better discip-
lined, more thorough in system and
more comprehensive in education.
The luxuries of life in food, dress
and recreation are more generally
enjoyed and easier attained under
colonial jurisdiction. Many les.
sons have been learned from the
Mormon colonies, and the entire
West seems to be adopting, more
CT less, of the information. With
all their faults the Mormons have
made rapid progress in the develop
ment of arid America, and their
success can be attributed to the
plan adopted for the guidance OF
colonies.-RWdl World.