CHAPTER IX 



FARMS 



THE importance of farms in the life of the country 

 entitles them to a separate chapter, even though 

 they are usually but one variety of home grounds. 

 Farms might be thought of as the cradle of the 

 nation. The farms do more for the cities than to 

 furnish them food. They supply people for the cities 

 as well. Since the average city family does not last 

 through more than three or four generations, the 

 population of a city must be replenished continually 

 from the country. On this account, not only does 

 the food supply of the nation depend on the farms 

 but also its stability and character to a very large 

 degree. The most influential citizens usually live 

 in cities, but they or their antecedents came from 

 the country. Our strong men owe their strength and 

 ruggedness of character to the farms from which 

 they sprang, and to these farms they often wish to 



return in their old age. 



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