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THREE years ago I made such changes in 

 my business engagements as to begin my 

 series of experiments. I wished to find out 

 how far a small income of less than $500 a year 

 would carry me towards independence of the 

 city, its troubles and anxieties, its landlords 

 and their bills. The question was whether or 

 not I could so supplement such an income by 

 manual out-door labor, as to keep my family 

 in comfort the year round, and even provide 

 for a few weeks of city life in the dead of winter. 

 I resigned my city position and took a small 

 place fifty miles from New York, where rent 

 was cheap, the soil fairly good for gardening, 

 and within gunshot of the water. I counted 

 upon my garden, my chickens, and my boat 

 for a good deal, and I was not disappointed. 

 As in every village, the vegetables, eggs, 

 chickens, and fish were dear when you had to 



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