250 WHAT I KNOW OF FARMING. 



But suppose one thousand just such young farmers 

 as he is, with no more means and no greater efficiency 

 than his, were to set forth together, resolved to find a 

 suitable location whereon they might all settle on ad- 

 joining quarter-sections, thus appropriating the soil 

 of five or six embryo townships : who can fail to see 

 that three-fourths of the obstacles and discourage- 

 ments which confront the solitary pioneer would van- 

 ish at the outset ? Roads, Bridges, Mills, nay, even 

 Schools and Churches would be theirs almost im- 

 mediately ; while mechanics, merchants, doctors, etc., 

 would fairly overrun their settlement and solicit 

 their patronage at every road-crossing. Within a 

 year after the location of their several claims, they 

 would have achieved more progress and more comfort 

 than in five years under the system of straggling and 

 isolated settlement which has hitherto prevailed. The 

 change I here indicate appeals to the common sense 

 and daily experience of our whole people. It is not 

 necessary, however desirable, that the pioneers should 

 be giants in wisdom, in integrity, or in piety, to se- 

 cure its benefits. A knave or a fool may be deemed 

 an undesirable neighbor; but a dozen such in the 

 township would not preclude, and could hardly di- 

 minish, the advantages naturally resulting from set- 

 tlement by Cooperation. 



Nor are these confined to pioneers transcending the 

 boundaries of civilization. I wish I could induce a 

 thousand of our colored men now precariously sub- 

 sisting by servile labor in the cities, to strike out 



