The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-09-15

Illustration Showing the Importance
OF the Small Farm.
Prof. I. H. Bailey. of Cornell In Review M

OK the small Farm.
Prof. l. H. Bailey. of Cornell, in Review of
The article on "A Farmers Balance Sheet
for 1885," which appeared in the Review of
Reviews for last March. shows the net
p19 hsSe on pes 500 co a sTs ;, OF Iowa srain-farmins
Reuben and Lucien Bradley were born and
reared on a Michigan farm. This farm had
beer cut from the woods by the father, and
1t to a state OF. fair productiveness. But
even when the boys became of age IL pro-
duced only a scant living for the family.
The problem of a livelihood and a vocation
forced itself upon Reuben and Lucien. They
were strong, steady, and industrious. They
father was not able to set them up in busi-
ness; They knew 1t and did not complain.
lie had done the best he could. Reuben
town and apprenticed himself to a harness
maker. Against the advice of his young
friends; Lucien bought sixty acres of land
In a year Reuben was earning a dollar a
DAY. After the days work he wore a white
other people did, not because they were
more comfortable He had no debts. Lucien
had fair crops. but they yielded little more
gage. He wore a ragged shirt and patched
breeches and cowhide boots. People said
that Reuben was making. a gentleman of
hlmseiI and learning q trade In the bargain.
In two years Reuben had completed his
apprenticeship. He was now earning $40 a
week. He boarded in a house that had a
fancy veranda and green blinds. His cloth
ing improved. Lucien was still ragged. but
he paid his interest and $500 on his prin-
cipal. People said that Reuben was bound
Reuben became foreman Of the shop at so
a month. He bought a house and lot on the
installment plan and paid for 1t within FIVE
years. This country people called on him
and ate dinner when they went to town.
Lucien paid of the mortgage and owned
the farm. People said that Reuben and
ILrfQn were On0d nffiyanc
In ten years more Reuben was still fore
man of the shop. He received the same
wore the same cut Of shirt and same kind
of pointed shoes. He smoked Havana c-
CARS. Lucien built a new house and barn.
He smoked a pipe. The neighbors saw that
every year he made some Improvement on
the farm. The barn was full Of tools. He
and he had a pair of button shoes. People
said that Lucien was becoming a prom
inent man, and his word was good at the
bank.
Reuben began to complain that harness
making was too confirming. His health was
breaking down: The proprietor OF the shop
business to him. Harness making was not
what II used TO be. Lucien bought more
land. He went fishing when he wanted TO.
Reuben came out now and then to spend a
Sunday. The birds seemed to sing more
sweetIy than ever before. and the grass
was greener. Lucien Endorsed Reuben's
note.
Lucien has pigs and cows and sheep and
chickens and turkeys and horses. He raises
| potatoes and beans and corn and wheat and
garden stun and fruits He buys his gro-
ceries. tobacco and clothes Reuben buys
everything. At the close of the year Lu-
Glen puts 800 10 800 in the bank or he takes
q trip to Boston. Reuben does well IL he
comes out even. Lucien does not fret.
Reuben grnmbles.
The moral Is that the $2oo-a-year income
farm Is a more important factor in the ma
| tional welfare than the $50. 000-income farm
IL. The one Is In the reach of any indus
trlous and intelligent man. The other Is In
reach of the few. The one Is safe and
| steady. The other In speculative and uncer-
tain. We need the moderate and modest
farm to make citizens. We use the other 10
make money. The large money-making
J that business and executive ability can