Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-12-28

| Will ttOuOAilAotos ~ % p~NA We
forward more clearly of late by the
military success of the Japanese-a
people living on small farms, on what
we would call a meagre diet, yet man
ifest highly civilized and physically
strong.
The extension of irrigating schemes
in the arid regions of the United
States has directed attention to the
possibility of a profitable use of much
smaller tracts of land than we have
been accustomed to accept as our min
imum allotment for a home.
When in order to "get back to the
%soil'' there was required ability to
secure and handle 20 or 100 acres of
land, the difficulties seemed insur-
%mountable. But if it can be shown to
the people to whom this counsel is
given that they can be supported and
can even accumulate property on a
tract of 3, 5 or even 10 acres, the prob
lem win seem much easier of solution.
Farming is a profession, and should
be studied as such. This pursuit is
subject to a great variety of modifying
influences and requires wide intelli-
gence and careful judgment to secure
the full measure of success.
The Sentry believes that most men
have a natural aptitude for drawing
support from the soil, since the me-
chanics from large cities, and ever
their children frequently make a
measure of success %cultivating little
corners of own lots.
1t is no longer necessary for men to
search the outskirts of civilization to
find land where they may secure a
living. Small tracts of from one to
five acres may be had on easy terms
almost anywhere, even in the suburbs
of large cities and out along trolley
lines. Thus the isolation of farm life
is avoided, and when there are 40 to
80 families instead of one on 100 acres,
cooperation makes house building, as
well as the procurement of tools, ami
mails and machinery much easier.
1t is also much easier to combine
work on the land with employment in
the shop or store to the great advan-
tage of the worker. Health would be
promoted, and great %pecuniary advan-
tages would result from a judicious
combination of this kind.
1t would be interesting, for Exam
pie, if a factory could be established,
the employees of which would work
eight hours a day therein, and during
the proper season devote two hours
a day to the intelligent cultivation of
a two-acre or three-acre field.
On this tract could easily be pro
duced vegetables and small fruits suf-
fcient for family use and a marketa-
BILE surplus, which, under favorable
circumstances, would in many cases
equal the earnings in the factory.
A comparison of the health and
prosperity of the operatives of such al
institution with that of the workers
in a neighboring establishment, giving
10 hours a day to their indoor work,
would, we are confident, make an un-
mistakable showing in favor of the
former.
Details have recently been made
InrbI;o as 20 tbo onarot;ona 90 N Ave
acre farm in an eastern state that is
making a comfortable living for a fam
lily Of four and a good profit in addi-
tion. After paying for the farm, the
Implements, a COW, some poultry and
pigs, which cost $1,000, the owner had
$500 left for working capital. A gar
den was planted, which soon furnished
most of the food for the family, and
the surplus was sold in a neighboring
town. The COW and poultry, too, con-
tributed to the income. Small fruits,
such as strawberries, raspberries and
blackberries, and trees like pears,
peaches and plums, were set out, In
fhN Aoh nv rugs NNiV bhAchtANhl anu
this, with the surplus poultry, gave the
meat for the family, with some left for
market.
The accounts for the first year
showed very little money, but showed
no debt, a substantial living and good
health. The man from the start never
purchased anything he had no money
TO pay for. He preferred peace and
? security to the uncertainties which
always come with debt and "charge
accounts."
Each year his income increased until
. today he shows a net gain, after pay
i ing all living expenses, Of $500 a
month. He keeps 800 head of poultry.
Loud 1a~af.r Al, - - - -