Milford chronicle., 1961-11-24
Coll Of The Wide Open
Spaces

eff we could only find a little
place in the country where we
could raise some of our own food
and enjoy country living" I've
heard this from many city people
lately who are considering part
time farming.
! There are lot of part-time
farmers in Delaware. According to
the 1859 census there were almost
1000 families that could be con-
sidered as part-time farmers. In
addition to these there are hum
dreds of other families anxious to
move from the city to a samll
farm, but for various reasons just
haven't made the move.
| There are many reasons for this
urge to live in the country. For
some it's a matter of getting away
ffrom the congestion of the city
and raising a family in the wide
open spaces. Others have read
books and magazine articles writ
ten about that small place in the
country. To some, the part-time
farm offers an additional source of
income or a way of making the
present income go further.
1t can be a way of cutting down
on food expenses and in some cases
really supplementing earnings from
other employment. Before a fam
| lily gives up city life and moves
to the country, there are some
things they should consider.
J Unless you have lived on a farm
before. you will be starting a new
way of life. If you make the wrong
decision, your work in the cOun-
try will only be drudgery. 1t may
be costly to change your mind
after you have made your move.
Before deciding, weigh the pros
and cons carefully:
How much more is it going
to cost you to get back and
forth to work?
Are. you going to need an ex-
ira car for the wife and fam
lily now that public transporta-
tion is not close at hand?
How about the family-will
they be content in the coun-
try?
What about the cost of trips
to town-how often are you
going to drive into town for
movies and shopping trips?
What do you know about farm
ing? Do you understand that
in addition to liking good fresh
eggs and vegetables it takes
a lot of hard work to produce
them? Also, the difference be-
tween the cost of growing a
hog and the price of pork at
the store is not as great as
you may think.
Usually, it is true that you will
have smaller taxes, lower rent, and
a smaller cost for utilities Also,
it is possible to produce a lot of
produce for home use and for sale
What you grow can be much better,
tastier, and fresher than what you
buy.
Location and size of part-time
farm are very important. Select
your location carefully considering
such things as good soil, drain
age, schools, and the general ap-
pearance of farms around the COM
munity. If they look prosperous it
is good farming area-if they
are being abandoned, be careful.
Size depends on the amount of
time you and your family have
to spend with farm work, and the
amount of capital you can invest.
If you don't have much time to
devote to farming, it is best to
|settle for a small place of not
more than five acres.
One final tip, be careful in buy
ing machinery-in most cases it
is cheaper for part-time farmers
to hire the use of tractors, COM
bines, and other large items than
to own them.
A bulletin entitled "Part-Time
Farming" is available free from
the Mailing Room. Agricultural
Hall, University of Delaware, New
ark, Delaware. 1t contains more
detailed information on this sub
ject and is a must for anyone
considering the ''big move.
OO-
If you like your baking powder
L - a. @Ir