New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-06-07
LURE OF THE LAND.
Englishzcomen Who Haze "G0ne
In" for 4 eYicuIture.

The lure of the land seems to be strongly felt
in England just There is little Berkshire
farm of five which, though only about half of
it is under cultivation, affords good living for
the two girl owners, Miss and Miss Peel, for
their French gardener, his wife and family, and
for the pupils who studying their methods Of
farming. To American that statement sounds
rather incredible, but it is quite true. 1t shows
what intensive farming will do.
a curious sight is this little Berkshire farm. Not
inch of the fields under cultivation is wasted.
Some of them covered with bell-shaped
rangements of glass called cloches, under which
the young lettuce and carrots and caulifioweTs and
forth forced 1t is all market gardening, and
it pays. Where there are not cloches there are
glass-covered frames, full of growing vegetables
When there is a cold storm these frames
cred with French mats, and during of the
hardest snowfals last winter the temperature under
the frames kept, by means of the mats. up to
so degrees. So carefully is the ground under these
frames and cloches nourished that II returns
fine crops a year.
1t the success of the French in intensive
gardening that led Miss Jones and Miss Peel to
go into vegetable raising on the same principle
French gardeners have been known to sell $500
worth of produce off in a year. and these
English girls argued that if the French could do
it they surely could. They had much capital
but they had enough to enable them to take five
acres of land at Thatcham, in Berkshire. and to
engage a FrenChman who knew all about garden
ing the close cultivation plan It only
last November that the farm started.
already there is a brisk market for everything
these energetic young women have to sell. What
is more, not few people in the neighborhood of
Thatcham following their example, or plan
ming to. and as to pupil helpers they have moro
applicants than they take.
OF course gardening this principle requires
endless patience. industry that flags and
careful attention to every smallest detail. man
cannot be successful farmer the close cultiva-
ton plan and spend his time holding up the side of
in tha Hoe,
| the affairs of the nation from the top of dry
| goods box. He has got work. The two girl
| owners of this little Berkshire farm work. They
have even become carpenters. and they make their
own vegetable frames. But first and foremost thew
take OF their soil, which they consider their
wealth. That is the French idea-so thoroughly
understood in France that in that country II Is
| often agreed upon between landlord and gardener
that the outgoing tenant may take his SOIL to the
depth of about eighteen inches, away with him.
Another interesting agricultural experiment is
| being tried at Rredon's Norton. This is an at
tempt to combine intellectualism with agriculture
The experimental Miss Woodruff, has already
started horticultural college at Bredon's Norton
and now she is organizing a dairy, an apary and
club The members of the last need not take part
in the activities of the colony unless they like but
their presence there will bring to the other resi-
dents of thought interest that other
wise they might be able to enjoy only in q large
| town. Some members of the club may visit II only
occasionally others may use it for meal now
| and then when passing that way and others NAV
| make it an objective point for motor expedition
| Such members will naturally bring with them new
| thoughts and new life and thus of the main
disadvantages OF rural life will be obviated At the
| same time the club members and visitors will I'M
doubtediy become interested in rural life and rural
| pursuits.