Gilpin observer., 1911-08-17
A4>1H N>zZ1HE GAS0HXE LXGlAE lIES
I1E NG/TT

are not engaged in the actual tilling Of the soil as
sole means of livelihood.
The evidences of energy. ambition and prosper
fty which calculated to impress with their
full force only the person who returns to region
after an absence of of years decade,
are to be found in various spheres. They
most noticeable perhaps in the institutions and
facilities which have to do with ead-winning
occupations, the increased size and improved con-
dition of farm buildings, the betterment of farm
implements and machinery, the upkeep of the
fences and the more satisfactory status of the
roads over which the farmer hauls his produce
market. 1t is safe to say, however that in
division of farm life has the twentieth century dis
closed possibilities to the extent that such
expansion has been manifested in the architecture
and construction of barns and stables
The barn has always been most important
set Of the farmer stock raiser. Society folk.
ignorant of the relative Importance of things a
farm, have been wont to criticize many a farmer
because he expended far more money his barn
than he did upon his residence. From the stand
point of the farmer. however there has always
been ample justification for such a course.
barn represents an important business essential
source of livelihood whereas dwelling is in
siderable measure If not luxury at least
vehicle of comfort. Accordingly the farmer, If he
has the thrift and foresight and judgment for
which his class are proverbial is apt to argue,
when setting up for himself that it Is the part of
wisdom to procure the best possible facilities in
the form of shelter for his crops and stock and
to bide his time in indulgng the longing for a fine
house. And be 1t added, the average rural house
wife, particularly if she raised on a farm. has
readily concurred with her husbands view as to
the wisdom of thus attending to business first
and pleasure afterward.
Gradually it has come about however. that in
none save the most newy-developed sections OF
the country is there noticeable that old disparity
between the appearance of the arm home and its
accompanying barn. The prosperity that has
come to the American farmer in later years has
been mainly responsible With an opportunity 10
derive something like his proper share of tho
profits Of his voca ion he has "spruced up things
generally around the old homestead. Like not
he has invested in automobile and high.
priced graphophone a player piano. but whether
not he has gone to the limit OF luxuries in that
direction k- Is pretty certain TO have made the
farm home worthy of his family and Of his pros.
porous condition-either enlarging or rebuilding
the old house else putting up house that
Is modern in every respect.
But while these other adjuncts have been catch.
ing up with the farm barn 1t must not be sup.
posed that the barn itself has been standing still
in the march OF progress IL we may express 1t
that way II Is not 30 much that the presentday
barn stable is larger than Its predecessor OF a
decade ago-except of course In the OF large
estates bonanza farms. On the contrary there
seems TO be some tendency to reduce the size Of
such buildings This tendency which is not yet
by any means universal Is explained by various
circumstances. For thing 1t has become the
fashion to provide various separate storage struc'
lures and outbuildngs which take care OF some
of the farm yield for which space had formerly to
be provided in the barn. Then. too, the automo.
bles Of the up-todate farmer of today take less
space than did the various carriages buggies. light
wagons and carriage horses OF the farmer in pro
portionatey easy circumstances some years ago.
But II country barns have not necessarily been
following the example Of city skyscrapers In grow