Semi-weekly herald., 1909-12-23
HOW CAN ONE MAKE A
LIVING ON A SMALL TRAcT7

This question Is earnestly asked by
two classes of people who. on account
of failing health or uncongenial sur
roundiags and employment. are anx-
ious to try II, and desire to invest
their earnings In land that they may
eventually make living from IL For
such, plenty OF advice Ia found In
the land booming real estate lite ature
for the alluring accounts OF the
large sums of money realized from
small areas nre sure to attract a
person In necessity; especially 30
when the claims and figures are back
ed by the most convincing proof
the personal testimonials from the
men who have actually securet the
results. The fact that 1t has rec uired
an equipment OF perhaps yeas of
training and experience is no, men
toned, or that the condition OF soil
fertility was ideal. or that spe clally
favorable climatic and market con.
ditions prevailed which made the re-
turns possible. These points are kept
In the background: and the items OF
cost and expense are seldom deducted
or even mentioned.
Another class OF people are asking
the same 1uestion-those who have
tried it. honest. Woodworking men and
women. who have lacked the necessary
resources, experience and favorable
opportunities to make good" II Is
unfortunate that so much misleading
information is sent out, for reaction
is sure to follow.
Hardly a mail comes to the Colo
| RADIO Agricultural college and expert.
ment station that does not contain let.
ters of inquiry upon the essence OF
| this questlon-information which in
many cases It ID impossible to furnish
in n way that will be satisfactory to
the inquirer, for SO much depends upon
the local conditions and the ability OF
the man to cope with obstacles.
There Is no question about the right
kind of men In the right kind OF sur
roundings making good living on a
small tract in truck farming. poultry.
and fruit Every experienced man
knows that many small farms are fail.
ures; that is, the 10 and i5-acre farms
devoted to field crops. like grain,
beets, potatoes. or cantuloupes. For a
few years there may be bountiful re.
turns. but eventually rotation with al
| raJ IT,
be other resources for the farmer. be-
cause his small area seeded to alfalfa
will not afford him living.
A practical farmer recently remark.
ed that "a man can buy forty acres
OF land at $3.50 an acre. and come
nearer making 1t pay out than II he
bought ten acres at the same price"
The profits from the ten acres will
be entirely consumed by necessary ex-
penses, and with no force In reserve !:
while the forty-acre farmer will have
n chance TO make some profits above
expenses. II is difficult to say how
small a farm can be profitably rotated.
Much depends upon the crops and the
local conditions. One thing is evident
from the experience of the past; hat
to keep up the fertility 1t will rec lire
about as much land in alfalfa a the
time as there Is land planted to her
crops. Probably froW twenty-f.e to
forty acres should be the min .uum
farm in Colorado outside the frrl and
truck farming sections Those hat
contemplate going onto a small ract
should understand that there are many
elements to consider before mai ng a
choice Soil. climate. water. ms ,ets.
labor, insects, plant diseases and
many minor points. besides expe ence
and persistence.
II, PEIILO X. BLINN.
Colorado Agricultural College. Fort
Cf,l1fpc