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


A reader of these notes, a young man
living In Brooklyn, who evidently Is
engaged in some city work, writes in
lqu1ring II one having had no agrlcul-
tnrai experience could make 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 TunkhannoclS. The giving of
helpful advice in a case of this kind
ds 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 determine
tlon and Sfains, 20 do the work which
would be necessary in the manage
meat Of such tract, we would say
that he could make living on twenty
acres, and 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 O
change Of occupation which will give
them independence and a competence
an later years. few suggestions along
theaines indicated by this young mans
query may be Of interest TO other read
ers, The making Of a living from a
small tract of land implies an intensive
type OF agriculture. the raising Of
crops 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, rnspberrles. strawberries,
etc. for which there Is usually good
demand I'm local as well as more dis
tant markets.
Where possible the vegetable crops
which will stand shipment should be
raised In carload lots so as 70 give the
advantage OF cnrioad rates In ship
mant In approaching this new work
we would advise our friend TO visit
and IL possible work for n season on n
farm Of the type which he has In mind
to develop mis- 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 n manur-
ing Of the soil with commercial or
barnyard fertilizers II the place Is run
down. We would advise our inquirer
TO 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
sc move. A most encouraging
he of this movement toward the
xog1that some OF the most conspicu-
snccesses along horticultural as
>Ieli as agricultural lines are being
<1made by those who have had little OF
I no experience in this field Of endeayor
but who have had grit and determine
tion, an open mind and willingness
To take advantage of and TO adopt the
latest and most approved methods f.,
doing the work In hand or all hope
less types under the sun and there are
th0usands in the class-the most 80 are
those who have had so much expert
cnce chat they are dead set In their
ways and view with contempt any
thing that savors OF the new"