THE SELECTION OF A FARM HOME 9! 



tributed rainfall is of prime importance. Irrigation can 

 be resorted to in some districts, and, where there is an 

 abundance of water, farming under this plan is even 

 more satisfactory than where the dependence is upon 

 rain. In irrigation the water can be supplied when 

 needed, and there is usually no rain to interfere when 

 crops are being cured. Often farms needing drainage 

 or irrigation can be purchased, and drained or irrigated 

 with great profit by those who know how to make these 

 improvements. 



. Proximity to markets and large cities is a very great 

 advantage. One cannot forecast how the farming busi- 

 ness may develop, and, in any event, nearness to com- 

 petitive markets is of great importance to the farmer. 

 Large cities provide many advantages which cannot "be 

 enjoyed by those who live far from the great centers of 

 population. Higher prices can be paid for lands near 

 large cities. Not only is the cost of freight less on the 

 products to be sold or purchased, but advantages may 

 be taken of city opportunities of many kinds, if the trip 

 by steam, or trolley, or team be not too long. It is also 

 a great advantage to farmers to come frequently into 

 contact with the bustling life of cities. 



Character of neighbors. It pays the home seeker to 

 consider carefully the class of neighbors surrounding 

 the farm he contemplates selecting. People generally 

 do as those about them show that they expect them to 

 do. The farmer and his children are more likely to be 

 altruistic, lovable, honorable, industrious, businesslike, 

 enterprising and thoroughly up to date if they live 

 among neighbors who are congenial, upright, industrious, 

 thrifty and up with the times. Life is not all the " rais- 

 ing of corn, to raise more hogs, to buy more land, to raise 

 more corn," etc. ; the enjoyment of social and public 

 life, as well as the enjoyment of home and family, are 

 considerations of the very highest importance. It is very 



