Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-23
A FARMERS TALK TO FARMERS
Few People Like Work-The Hunt for Soft-Snaps-The Dream of Country Boys and the Bane of City Life An Exceptional Ambition and Proposition-A Ring of Light Which Excites Hope.

| thrifty and have saved little compe- tence. They have an ambition to be farmers, but they realize that they must have experience as well as cap ital Now they reason that there are probably people who are childless Cor whose children have gone from home) with good farm properties which they would like to keep up. As we know, many farmers would prefer to live on their farms if it were possible to keep up the property. Ordinary hired help will not do this satisfactorily. The young people I speak of want to know why they cannot make business deal with such farmer-putting their en- ergy and strength with his experience and advice They want to learn how to run farm, and they reason truly that the best way to learn how is to go to school to successful farmer right in his own home. I understand these young people would work for their keep for a while in exchange for the instruction they would get. It might then be possible to make up businesslike partnership with invested capital. The man tells me that he knows of others somewhat similarly situated who have a little capital and think a farm partnership of this sort. would be better than for them to start out alone. I speak of this as an ex- pertinent. This is for farmers who want to remain on their farms and who would take such a couple in prepara- tion for possible partnership"
 suppose we have all of us had ex- perience, or been neighbors with those who have had experience in the utter futility of bringing the average "city poor on to a farm. I know of one farmer in this county who, some years ago, paid the transportation of three families of "city poor" to his farm. He was actuated by the twofold desire of getting sorely needed help on his broad utilized acres, and of at the same time, giving a chance for life to some needy people who had to depend, more or less, on charity for their liv- ing in town. All three attempts prov ed wretched failures. Not only were the people incapable-a fault which zeal and industry might have remedied but they were lazy, greedy untrust- worthy and unwilling to learn or to help. They seemed to take themselves in the light of fresh air children" whom the farmer was to lodge and board for nothing, devote his time to amusing and then pay them high wages for the improving quality of their somewhat supercilious compan- ionship. After a weeks test of each,
 
 town, as the cheapest way of getting rid of them.
 But the item copied above seems to suggest quite different kind of cattle. Since so many otherwise sensible young people are crazy to get out of the country and into the town, why isn't it possible that there may be a few townSpeople, like those mentioned, who are sincerely desirous of exchang- ing town for country life? And if there are any such as described, industrious, strong. willing, thrifty" people who have been successful and who have saved something. what a Godsend to the country their coming to 1t should be!
 think see growing change in American sentiment in this matter. The signs are slight and scattering and I may be misled by my desires. but it seems to me as if there was grow ing in some quarters a comprehension of the fact that the only true home possible is one on the broad open spaces of the country. I know one young man of wealth and family who, five years ago deliberately turned his back to the city and came out where he could have home of his own, made to suit his wishes and maintain ed for his own and his family's com fort and health. He told me, this summer, that after five years of it nothing would induce him 10 go back to the Imprisonment of the city. I have heard of others like him. This quoted item suggests that there are still others, not rich, but sensitive to the lure of the country, who would bring it the help it sorely needs.
 Perhaps there may be very few of them. But even few would be better than one. The small end of the wedge does little work itself, but it opens the way for the butt which rends the log. For one, it seems to me almost an ideal arrangement-if it be practicable-that by which an aged farmer, experienced In farm management, knowing his fields to their last stump or stone. but no longer capable of working them, should combine his experience and wisdom with the strength and indus try and zeal of younger partner, thus securing the latter a clear prospect for the future, and. at the same time, assuring himself of a comfortable liv- ing in his old home for his declining years. Naturally, there would be dangers in such a connection. But their character is so palpable and their probabilities so evident that they might be frankly discussed beforehand and thus rendered avoidable in large measure. Each party to such an ar rangement would have to enter it with the full willingness, and the infexible Determination to give just a little more than half. Human nature seems to be such that, in bargain, both sides must feel they are getting the best of it or both will feel cheated. But it really seems to me as if any tendency on the part of city people toward the country, on such terms as suggested by the item I have quoted, ought to be en- couraged for the benefit of all con- cerned-and for the good of the na- ton, as whole.
 THE FARMER.