The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-02-21
FOR THE FARMERS
Useful Information Concern.
ing Farm Work.
A BOOK ON INTENSIVE FARMING

The Great Northern Railway Has the
Work Under Preparation and is De-
sirous of Obtaining all Information
Possible.
A communication has been received
from St. Paul from F. l. Whitney, gen.
eral passenger and ticket agent of the
Great Northern railway, on the subject
of small and diversified farming. The
railway officials recognize the fact that
there is far more business for a road
from region thickly populated and pro-
ducing many kinds of crops than from a
thinly populated one devoted only to
the production OF staples. For this rea-
son they are anxious to see the Pacific
Northwest increase largely in popula-
ton by the cutting up of the large farms
into small tracts and their cultivation in
such a manner that each small area
shall support family. This matter of
immigration is an important one and
affects the entire Northwest. The efforts
OF the railroads to induce the right kind
of immigrants to come here, and to lay
before them the facts necessary to ac-
complish that end, should receive gen.
eral encouragement and aid. The in
formation asked for in the letter should
be supplied by the intelligent farmers,
journalists and hopgrowers who have it
at their command. Mr.. Whitney's let
ter is as follows:
1--WE are DESTROYS of securing series
of letters from practical men OF your
State devoted to the discussion of inten-
sive farming. In our various publica-
tions, which we freely distribute about
the East, we have made the broad claim
that ten acres properly cultivated to
vegetables or fruits will make good liv-
ing for family. This we have done on
account of the many instances of sue
cess attending the tillage OF small areas,
an acre, more or less, which have come
to US from nearly every part of the Pa
cific Northwest. There is more waste
land from an agricultural standpoint in
your States than in the Mississippi Val
ley. All the land capable of cultivation
in YOUR country should be in small hold
ngs and made to produce to the limit.
Small farming means much. 1t means
better roads, better schools, nearer
neighbors and better markets. 1t means
scciabilitv, companionship and touch
with the world; but | need not enlarge
upon the importance of increased popu-
Iation and well-managed acres.
"Your climate invites outdoor life; it
invites people from more rigorous sec
tons to come and prolong their lives
and usefulness. Your varied resources
invite capital, industry and develop
ment. New men will uncover new ave-
nues to wealth and happiness. We be-
lieve in building for the future, in lay
ing sure and firm foundations; but
while doing it we should share some OF
its benefits. Let us ourselves partake OF
the fruits of the tree and garden and
enjoy while we live some OF the beauty
and perfume of the flowers.
1--WE therefore respectfully invite con-
tributions from farmers, fruit raisers
and gardeners, showing what can be
done on one acre and upwards, and how
to do it. so that others may be instruct
ed in the art of right living aud labor.
Ten Acres Enough gave an Eastern
writer material sufficient to prepare a
very readable and useful book. We be-
lieve volumes can be written upon your
resources and possibilities. We do not
want book from any single person
matter to fill newspaper column will
be plenty from each one, and our hope
is we may be favored with enough short
articles to make book. Address F. l,
Whitney, q. P. & I. A., Great Northern
Railway, st. Paul, Mimi"