The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-08-18

resuIted marked benefit to the settlers, as well
as to the people of the surrounding country VINO
have been taught many things In the use OF tne
soil by these foreign farmers that they had not
known before
One of the farm colonies that promises the most
successful results is Swiss colony recently es1Ao-
lshed in Howell county, Missouri.
Another settlement of similar character has been
established by Col ]. L. Torrey, who was the organ
zer of of the Rough Rider Regiments In
the with Spain, and whose regiment through
the unfortunate accident of a railroad wreck was
perhaps deprived of the opportunity for actual serv
ice. Col. Torrey purchased a tract of 10000
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
looking for opportunity to engage in farm life
who have not the means available to do so.i That
Col. Torrey Is interested in developing good
citizens. we'll as good farmers is manifest from
the fact that he insists that every of his ten
ants, or those to whom he sells farm, shall own
American flag which they shall. proper occa-
sion display from their homes.
These farm home colonies are all established or
the same general plan. tract of land is divided
up into different farms with central farm and
village The land Is sold or rented such terms
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 and 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 small acreage
properly cultivated, with cows. hogs and chickens
we'll managed, good living be made on
comparatively small investment If the enterprise
is conducted with industry and intelligence. 1t is
however, always dangerous to count your chickens
before they Matched" The results in farm
ing enterprises. as in other enterprises will usually
fall short of expectation. Bad luck accidents and
other msfortunes will of course, confront the farm
But If he has 'the right stuff in him." the land
will yield him liberal return If 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 of means cannot
secure, and view with complacency an increase in
the cost of living when he realizes that he is
producer as well as consumer.
When President Roosevelts Country Life COM
mission, after extended investigation of cond-
lions of country life throughout the country made
its report to the effect that improvement in the
social life of the farmer one of our most inn
portant problems many regarded this statement as
mere academic or theoretical utterance But
any one really familiar with the conditions of coun
try life knows full well that the limited social life
of the country is of the greatest disadvantages
that now exists in connection with the cultivation
OF the soil. To provide proper social life is an
essential If the Back to the Soil" movement is to
be made generally successful