The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-09-14
FARMERS LIFE INDEPENDENT.
To Insure Success City Man Must
Have Some Capital.


successfully surmounted, and he and
his family become satisfied with what
they learn to know of the lure of the
land, he is sure of the future both
for himself and those near him.
Ownership of a tract of land large
enough to support a family, and
knowledge how to get that support
out of the land, frees a man COM
pletely from the dangers and ap-
prehensions which industrial and
commercial life involve. He is inde-
pendent. Whatever may happen to
others, he knows that in his acres
are ample food and clothing. Drouth
sometimes depletes his crops, but SO
rarely is there a drouth to bereave
him entirely that it is not worth re-
garding.
The great majority of farmers are
not profit-takers from their lands, or
money savers, any more than the
great majority of wage earners in
towns and cities. They do not know
how, and are not particularly anx-
ious to learn. Until the remunera-
tion of the farm laborer shall be
higher than it is now, through high
er recompense of the farmer, 1t is
not worth while to say anything
about the prospects of the farm labor
er. He hasn't any more than the
ordinary laborer in any other field
of work, unless he is a man of un-
usual force of character, determined
to work himself up to something
higher. 1t is still less feasible for
city man to become a farm tenant
unless he knows at the outset how
to farm-how to get out of the soil
the money with which to pay his
rent. To go onto a farm without
capital and without knowledge of
farming would not be sensible thing
to do.
If there is some capital to start
with, the move to farm can be
made with prospect of success, pro-
vided there is determination to work
in order to win. This was the case
with a farmer who took the prize
in the 1909 Iowa state fair for the
championship ear of corn, which was
sold at auction for $160. He had
driven a laundry wagon in Des
Moines for years before he finally
concluded to try his luck with land,
of which he knew little or nothing.
But he was a man of ability and grit,
and If he had stayed in Des Moines
he would have finally won out in the
city there just as he did in the
country. He had the qualities that
spell success.
The advice of w. ]. Spillman, ex-
pert of the national department of
agriculture, is that any man going to
the land for the first time as a means
of making a living should, If possi-
BILE, take a preparatory course in
some school of agriculture. A good
opening for him is to become gard
ener in the suburbs. If he can raise
a surplus he is sure of a good mar
ket. And, anyhow, he can likely
keep his family and acquire expert
ence until qualified for broader work.
Many men have made the transition
in this way from city to country life.
Others have become dairymen in a
small way, or poulterers, or fruit
growers. All the knowledge thus
secured is essential to the successful
of even a small farm
where attention is given to more
details than if one were relying ex-
clusively upon the land.
1t might as we'll be understood at
the outset that it is practically i'm
possible now to break into farm
ing without some capital to begin
with. A generation ago, or less,
there was plenty of land to be home
steaded. Especially . in the middle
west, where most of this land was
available, the soil was rich and its
fertility needed no attention. Here
It did not take long for the beginner |
to learn how to farm successfully. |
When good land was thus SO plenti- |
fully available for the mere asking, |
thousands Of farm homes were es-
tablished by men who had no previ- |
ous knowledge of the business.
"At the present time" says the de-
partment of agriculture, there is \
no desirable land left for |
lomesteads."
He who wishes to own farm now
must buy the land. And 1t is often |
he case that the land in the loca-
ion where he would purchase has
,een worn out by slipshod methods of
cultivation. While this of course re-
iuces it's value, it puts the buyer to
he labor and expense of a resuscita-
ion that may require years of ap-
)lication. He who has had no eX-
)erience as a farmer goes on the
and usually with a full appreciation
If his ignorance and under the cir
this is an advantage, for
le is anxious and willing to learn.
Moreover, he is not hemmed in by
traditions and hallucinations In con-
lection with land service which Of
en- are detrimental to men who have
,een raised on the soil.
There is a wonderful amount of
literature now available
bout farming from state and feder-
i sources, and the new farmer who
would do the right thing need not do
he wrong thing If he will but seek
he many authoritative sources of in
ormation open to him merely for
he asking. But In these days a man
annot go to farming without money
o start with any more than he can
ngage in merchandising.
How much does he need? This
depends on the price of the land and
he magnitude of his enterprise. He
nay begin with an acre or with a
hundred acres. Success Is possible
With either, but more likely with the
ingle acre than with the hundred,
there is no prior experience by
ither, unless the bigger farmer has
money with which 10 hire n farm