The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1911-09-09

resulted a marked benefit to the settlers, as wei
as to the people of the surrounding country VIM
have been taught many things IN the use OF TN
soil by these foreign farmers that they had no
known before.
One of the farm colonies that promises the mos
successful results is Swiss colony recently esrab
Hshed in Howell county Missouri.
Another settlement of similar character has beer
established by Col. j. L. Torrey. who was the organ
izer of one of the Rough Rider Regiments" IL
the war with Spain, and whose regiment through
the unfortunate accident of railroad wreck was
perhaps deprived of the opportunity for actual
ice. Col. Torrey purchased tract of 10000
acres upon the southern slope of the Ozarks which
he Is selling to deserving people upon terms which
practically place It within the reach of all who are
looking for an opportunity to engage in farm life
who have not the means available to do so. That
Col. Torrey Is interested In developing good
citizens. as well good farmers, is manifest from
the fact that he insists that every one of his ten
ants, or those to whom he sells a farm, shall own
an American flag which they SHALL on proper occa-
sion, display from their homes.
These farm home colonies are all established OF
the same general plan. A tract of land is divided
up into different farms with a central farm and
village The land is sold or rented on such terms
as puts the opportunity to become farmer within
the reach OF any deserving man. The profits or
returns to be realized from such investment will
OF course vary according to the size of the farm
purchased anu the character OF the SOIL Horace
Greeley said that man could make living for
himself and his family upon FIVE acres of land
This is true of some land and not true of other
land But 1t is true that with a small acreage
properly cultivated. with cows, hogs and chickens
well managed. good living can be made on
comparatively small investment II the enterprise
is conducted with industry and intelligence. 1t is
however always dangerous to count your chickens
before they are Matched" The results in farm
ing enterprises in other enterprises will usually
fall short Of expectation Bad luck, accidents and
other misfortunes WILL of course confront the farm
er. But If he has "the right stun in him." the land
will yield him liberal return II he will use good
judgment, work hard and stick to It. He can then
be independent of the beef trusts and other trusts
enjoy luxuries that the city man OF means cannot
secure, and view with complacency an increase in
the cost Of living when he realizes that he IA a
producer as well as consumer.
When President Roosevelt's Country Life COM
mission after an extended investigation of condi
tons OF country life throughout the country made
Its report to the effect that Improvement in the
social life OF the farmer was one Of our most i'm
portant problems, many regarded this statement as
mere academic or theoretical utterance But
any one really familiar with the conditions Of conn
Try life knows full well that the limited social life
OF the country is one Of the greatest
That now exists In connection with the e,,,ftv.for
OF the soil To provide proper social life IL m
essential II the Back to the Soils moyement a -
be made generally successful