CHAPTER VI 

 THE SELECTION OF A FARM HOME 



The selection of a farm for a permanent family home 

 is a matter of great importance. Here most of the life 

 is to be spent; and upon the quality, character and loca- 

 tion of the farm largely depends the success and the 

 happiness of each and every member of the family. Its 

 importance as a place for developing the home, bringing 

 up a family, enjoying family ties, entertaining friends, 

 and working out life's success, can hardly be over- 

 estimated. If its location is unsuitable, its soil poor or 

 difficult to subdue, or if it be otherwise poorly adapted 

 to the particular needs of the family, there may be life- 

 long regret at the choice. It is highly important to the 

 farm family to feel that it is permanently located, and 

 that whatever is done to build up the place is done with 

 a view to its permanent usefulness as the foundation of 

 a happy and prosperous home, for generations, of a 

 strong, prosperous family. 



The farm the foundation of the business. Each farmer 

 should choose a farm suited to the kind of farming he 

 desires to follow. It is far better to spend some time 

 looking about, so as to be fully suited, than to take a 

 farm that is easily obtainable, but not just adapted to 

 the kind of farming to be done. A fruit farm too far 

 away from market, a sheep farm on too low land, or a 

 grain farm in a sandy, wooded country, would be an 

 unfortunate choice. In such regions as the great prairies 

 of the upper Mississippi valley, one can easily find lands 

 suited to general farming, that is, to the production of 

 grain, forage crops and live stock in combination. But 

 if one wishes to do vegetable gardening, he should avoid 



