The Democratic advocate., 1909-11-19
A LIVING FROM TWENTY ACRES.

j
A reader of these notes, young man
lying in Brooklyn, who evidently is
engaged in some city work, writes in
iquiring if one having had no agricul-
tural experience could make a living
with potatoes. wheat, oats and apples
Jas crops and with a COW and horse as
live stock equipment from twenty
acres, the tract lying along the Sus-
Quehanna river in Wyoming county,
Pa, near Tunkhannock The giving of
helpful advice in Il case of this kind
lis not simple matter, for so much
depends upon the land, of which no
account is given, and even more upon
the man, who frankly states that he
has had no experience in farm work.
But. assuming that the land is fertile
and that the owner not only has the
physical strength, but the determina-
ton. and brains, to do the work which
would be necessary in the manage
ment of such a tract, we would say
that he could make living on twenty
acres, and a good living, besides being
independent economically and engaged
in work that would promote his gen
eral health. Inasmuch as many other
young men are casting about for
change of occupation which will give
them independence and a competence
i'm later years, few suggestions along
the e4ines indicated by this young mans
query may be of interest to other read
ers. The making of living from
small tract Of land implies an intensive
type of agriculture, the raising of
cr6Ds which require more care and
give larger returns than the usual field
crops, such as corn and small grain.
Such crops would include potatoes, on
ions, celery, raspberries, strawberries,
ETC.. for which there is usually good
demand in local as we'll as more dis
tant markets.
Where possible the vegetable crops
which will stand shipment should be
raised in carload lots so as to give the
advantage of carload rates in ship
ment. In approaching this new work
we would advise our friend to Visit
and if possible work for season on
farm of the type which he has in mind
to develop his own into. If he cannot
do this, he should take advantage OF
every occasion which offers to ac-
quaint himself by reading agricultural
literature and talking with those who
have had experience with the prob
lens which he will have before him.
Perhaps conditions would suggest the
wisdom of growing clover in rotation
with wheat and potatoes and manur-
ing of the soil with commercial or
barnyard fertilizers if the place is run
down. We would advise our inquirer
ito look into the matter of keeping poul-
try in connection with growing vegeta-
bles and small fruits, but the price of
poultry products and the cost of feed
would determine whether this would
he a wise move. A most encouraging
feature of this movement toward the
land is that some Oh the most conspicu-
ous successes along horticultural as
well as agricultural lines are being
made by those who have had little or
no experience in this field of endeAvor,
but who have had grit and determina-
tion, an open mind and a willingness
to take advantage of and to adopt the
latest and most approved methods IL
doing the work in hand. Of all hope
less types under the sun-and there are
thousands in the class-the most so are
those who have had so much expert
ence that they are dead set in their
ways and view with contempt any
thing that savors of the ''new."