Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1914-05-30
A Vacation Farm

BE found on the farms, and in the vii
lages today, as they were fifty years
ago. The city life and opportunities
for culture, amusement, and money
making have drained the country OF
these boys and their parents. The
city life with its excitement, cigarets
late hours. is drawing heavily upon
| the vital strength of the men and
women in our cities, and if one-half
of what has been stated above is true
a back-to-the-land movement, which
will give our city jewellers a chance
to live in the open during the summer
months, is desirable-but is it prac-
tical? Sometimes these who need
medicine most are the last to take it.
1t is proposed first, to form stock
company of men who will guarantee
that any money subscribed for stock
will be properly expended.
Secondly, to sell stock to employers
who may wish to furnish their en-
ployees with a summer vacation farm
at nominal rent, or by those who may
be interested in the plan and would
like to spend part of the season at
the farm themselves, and allow the
company to rent their cottage the
balance of the time.
Third, that inexpensive cottages
shall be built, supplied with good
drinking water, shower bath, kit
chen stove, cheap furniture and a fire
place, also a garden which shall be
cared for by the company until the
occupant of the cottage arrives, and
the ground sowed, that the occupant
may have fresh vegetables in his own
garden, and gather them himself.
Fourth, all occupants of vacation
farm shall agree to wear old clothes,
or over-alls, and endeavor in every
way in their power to simplify the
life at the farm, and decrease the liv-
ing expenses; and they further agree
that if they appear on the grounds
clad as a city dude, they will make no
objections if the other members of
the farm throw them into the muck
hole, and spoil the looks of their white
flannels, as the idea of the plan is to
get fresh air and sunshine at the
lowest possible cost, and no dudes
need apply.
Fifth. it is proposed to engage the
services of a woman to care for the
children during the hours between
anu y. M, Jndt the mothers Hliy
have q vacation. and not be compelled
to work harder that the lords of crea-
ton may enjoy themselves.
Sixth, the mothers will be asked to
agree to dress their children in over
ais or rompers, and not to scold the
children if they get dirty so that the
children may play in the sand, slide
down the sandbanks, paddle in the
creek, swing under the trees, and have
a generally free life, under the care
and direction of capable woman.
Seventh, every man at Vacation
Farm is expected to be big brother
to some of the little fresh-air children
who may be taken out e the cities
for a little glimpse into country life,
and some OF Gods fresh air and sun
shine. The hour between and 5, the
big brothers and the little brothers
are expected to get acquainted, and
have good play.
If this plan is put into operation it
may be because you-and that means
YOU, whoever you may be, reading
this article-have given some sugges-
, ton, or pointed out some difficulty
ahead. Whether you live in the city
or country. will you not write the
Sand Farmer" your ideas of this
plan before he tells you more about
"Sam" and the "Sand Farm" which
he will do next week?