Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1878 — The Farm as an Investment. [ARTICLE]

The Farm as an Investment.

The man who by inheritance or some lucky turn of the wheel of fortune finds himself in the possession of a moderate fortune, is often sadly perplexed in looking for a safe investment. Shall he Invest in railroad stocks? He turns to the quotations in a-tile of papers and the fluctuations frighten him. He realizes that an Ashtabula disaster or a “strike” in which a riotous mob holds possession for a few hours, may wipe out dividends for years. If he would engage in mercantile or manufacturing business, a careful examination

shows that even in prosperous times a very large proportion of those in such business fall. If he lends his money there is more or less risk, and foreclosing mortgages is neither a pleasant nor profitable buiness. To all who are looking for a safe investment wo would recommend the farm. And we do this in face of the statement which we meet so often, that money invested in farms does not pay 3 per cent.. We believe that aside from the safety of the investment, it can be shown that money putin a farm will be found actually to yield a better income than in many of those insecure investments. Let us suppose that a man with a wifo and four children (to support and educate) has 910,000 ready cash. He invests it on first mortgage security, at 8 per cent. Aside from what he may earn by his personal efforts, his income is SBOO. Out of this he must pay house-rent, buy his- fuel, and all his provisions, groceries and dry-goods, school-bills and books, and if the family indulge in travel, liverystable bills and car-fare, and before the year is out he will find the closest economy necessary to avoid debt. On the other hand, let him invest his ten thousand in a good farm—eight thousand in land and the remaining two thousand in some choice stock and a good team and family carriage. With SB,OOO it will be easy to buy from 100 to 160 acres of good land all under fence and with good buildings. His farm will furnish him beef, mutton, pork, eggs and poultry, bread-stuff, fruit and vegetables, milk and butter —and all of the best quality. His horses and carriage are always ready for the useo? the family, and if he wishes to be a man of leisure he can readily find good tenants who are glad to cultivate his land for half thejcrous, finding their own team and tools. By keeping the larger part of his farm in grass he can sell some stock each year, and have what land is cultivated in a condition to grow heavy crops. He has already had from his farm what would cost him in town five or six hundred dollars, and certainly it will be easy with good crops and average prices, to sell enough produce from the farm to make his income better for the support of his family than 8 per cent, on his SIO,OOO would be, ana he need not consult the stock quotations daily to know whether he is worth anything or not. — Practical Farmer.