The Bottineau courant., 1905-03-10

mulate property on tract of three,
five or ten acres, the problem will seem
much easier of solution.
Farming is profession, and should
be studied ss such. This pursuit is
subject to great variety of modifying
influences, and requires wide intelli-
gence and careful Judgment to secure
the full measure of success.
1t is believed that most men have a
natural aptitude for drawing support
from the soil, since the mechanics of
large cities and even their children fire.
quently make a measure of success,
cultivating little corners of town lots.
1t is no longer necessary for men to
search the outskirts of civlllzation to
find land where they may secure a liv-
ing. Small tracts from one to five
acres may be had on easy terms al
most everywhere, 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 SO
families instead of one on 100 acres,
cooperation makes house building, as
we'll 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 judicious
combination Of this kind.
1t would be interesting, for example,
If factory could be established, the
employees of which would work eight
hours q day therein. and during the
proper seasons devote two hours a day
to the Intelligent cultivation of two
acre or three-acre field.
On this tract could easily be produced
vegetables and small fruits, sufficient
for family use, and marketable sur
plus, which, under favorable circum-
stances, would in many cases equal the
earnings in the factory.
A comparison of the health and pros
perity of the operatives of such an in
stitution with that of workers in a
neighboring establishment, giving ten
hours day to their indoor work,
would, we are confident, make an un-
mistakable showing in favor of the
former.
Details have recently been made pub
lie as to the operations of f1ve-acre
farm in an eastern state that is making
a comfortable living for family of
four and good profit in addition Aft
er 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 garden was plant
ed, which soon furnished most of the
food for the family, and the surplus
was sold in neighboring town. The
COW and poultry, too, contributed to
the income. Small fruits, such as
straw berries, raspberries and black
berries and trees like pears, peaches
and plums were set out. In the fall
the hogs were butchered, and this and
the surplus poultry gave the meat for
the family with some left for market.
Each year his income increased, un-
til to-day he shows a net gain, after
paying all living expenses, Of $50 a
month. He keeps 800 head Of poultry
and devotes the rest Of his land to gar
dening, vegetables and fruits.
This success shows what can be done
by combination Of muscle and brains
on small piece Of land. The same
measure of success is possible to many
people in different localities, and each
instance lnereof helps to solve the
problem Of getting people back to the
soil and relieving the congestion IN
cities.
The plan asA applied to factory en-
sployes = worth careful thought
THE SENTRY.