The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-04
STRANGE PENNSYLVANIA. FARM,
where Crops We're Raised Never TO De
Used or Sold.

From The Farm and Firrcide.
The death not long ago OF Isaac Sweigert,
an aged resident of Lancaster county, Pa.
brought to light one OF the most remarkable
cases OF unnecessary thrift and saving on
record.
Isaac sweiRert. with his two sisters, had
for half century or moro been engaged
In raising large and profitable crops from
the fertile sixty acres which they Jointly
Possessed. but, strange to say. none. or very
Few. OF the farms products was ever sold.
II cost the family but little to live. and after
disposing OF as much Of a seasons crop as
would bring them in the necessary money
to buy their provisions and clothing. the rest
OF the harvest would be laid aside as carefully
as miser puts by his hoar I'd OF gold.
The family Ia descended from thrifty Ger
man STOCK. Isaac Sweigert's parents were
among the first who turned virgin forests
OF that section of Pennsylvania into pro-
ductive farm land. The industry and the
savings OF the parents were apparently trans
mitted by heredity to tho son and daughters.
who soiled for years early and late In the
sowing, cultivation and renping OF their
crops. hut who failed through neglect or
indifference to realize the commercial value
of their labor.
No outside help was ever hired at the farm.
the arduous work of sowing and reapng
being performed by the odd trio; for the
two sisters joined with their brother and
turned to every form OF labor in the fields.
The brother and sisters allowed but little
sunshine to brighten their lives. They rarely
visited any of their ncighbors and were
seldom seen at any public gatherings. The
only change In the even tenor OF their simple
lives was when the brother brought wife
to the old homestead. and the prattle of a
child later lent a new and strange atmosphere
to their cheeress home.
Tha
products OF the farm. and were seldom seen
making any purchases at the country stores.
Az years passed. the brother and sisters were
reputed TO have accumulated considerable
wealth. but continued their hard toll and
economical methods OF living. Instead OF
disposng OF their crops as formerly. they
began stacking their grain at different points
on the farm, where 1t was allowed to rot by
years OF exposure to the elements
visitors to the premises will find about
seventy-hve of these stacks scattered all over
the farm. between fifteen and twenty being
located near the house. The loss from this
source aggregates thousands OF dollars. or
late the brother and sisters were content with
threshing and cleaning only enough Of their
crops for immediate wants. storing the sur
plus OF grim each year In different rooms OF
their house. The house now contains great
quantities Of era in. specially the lower story,
where its great weight has caused sagging
of the floor, and the valuable product finds
its way through cracks to the cellar beneath.
The storing Of this grain has proved a rich
treat to countless hordes Of rats and mice,
which thrive and grow fat on II.
An examination Of the numerous stacks OF
grafA showed that the once valuable product
is worthless either as food or bedding for
the stock. The loss represented in these
rotted stacks. including the immense guam
n att in ha oh
is stated to have also become unfit for use,
would, II Ia said. be sufficient for the purchase
Of one Of the largest farms in Lancaster
county.