The Appeal., 1911-08-19

resulted a. marked benefit to the settlers, as well
to the people of the surrounding country VIM
have been taught many things in tne 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 es1ap
Hshed in Howell county. Missouri.
Another settlement of similar character has been
established by Col J. L. Torrey, whowas 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
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 That
Col. Torrey is interested in developing good
citizens well 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. on proper occa
sion, display from their homes.
These farm home colonies are all established on
the same general plan. Attract of land is divided
up into different farms with a central farm and
village. The land is sold rented such terms
as puts the opportunity to become a 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
Greeley said that man could make a living for
himself and his family upon five acres of land
This is true of some land and not true of other
land. But it is true that with small acreage
properly cultivated, with cows hogs and chickens
well managed, good living be made on q
comparatively small investment IT. the enterprise
is conducted with industry and intelligence. 1t is
however, always dangerous to count your chickens
before they are hatched" The results in farm
ing enterprises, in other enterprises, usually
fall short OF expectation. Bad luck accidents and
other misfortunes will of course, confront the farm
er 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 other trusts:
enjoy luxuries that the city man of means cannot
secure, and view with complacencys increase in
the cost Of living when he realizes that he is
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 inn
portant problems, many regarded this statement as
a 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 one of the greatest
tnat now exists in connection with the cultivation
OF the soil To provide a proper social life is an
essential II the Back to the Soil" movement is TO
be made generally successful