Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 July 1895 — Small Farms. [ARTICLE]

Small Farms.

The thrifty Eastern farmer, who cultivates thoroughly his ten or twenty acres of fertile soil, Is probably better off than his Western brothers on their hundred-acre farms, and he Is making a better living, writes Prof. R. P. Mason. lie is better off becauso he has found out from experience that ten acres are often quite enough for one man to farm, and that when a farm of this size is properly run It pays a good living. His whole life Is a steady one, and not a speculative one. He does not expect to make big profits and grow rich suddenly. The dairymen of New York and Pennsylvania, the fruit growers of New Jersey and the Hudson River and the general market gardeners of Masachusetts settle down quietly to their small farms and make them pay, because it Is a steady job, add a sure one If properly worked. There are plenty of Indications that small farms are Increasing throughout the West, especially In the dairy districts. Young farmers who understand their business do not require large eg-, tates in' the West, as they have been taught t 6 believe. They will do much butter to buy one-fahth the amount of land, and put the rest of the money In the bank or In Improvements. In the en<J< it will pay a better rate of Interest.