SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR CITY PERSONS 135 



what it costs in cities. The purchased food usually costs as much 

 as, or more than, it does in cities. City water rent is very much 

 cheaper than the cost of furnishing running water in the house 

 on most farms. Light is cheaper in cities unless the farmer uses 

 kerosene lamps, as they nearly all do. High-school education is 

 often very expensive for farm children, because it is often neces- 

 sary for the children to leave home and pay board, or a horse 

 may have to be kept for the children to drive to school and this 

 is very expensive even on a farm. The fact that food and house 

 are cheaper on the farm makes the farm most attractive for per- 

 sons with large families and small means, because such persons 

 spend most of their money for food. The children can also be of 

 much help in the farm work. At the same time the children not 

 only receive the benefits that come from wholesome labor, but 

 also learn much about plants and animals. Persons who have an 

 income so large that food is not the chief item in the cost of liv- 

 ing are likely to be disappointed in their expectations of a greatly 

 reduced cost of living on farms. 



A farm a home enterprise. Farming is very different from 

 most city occupations. The success of a farm is dependent on 

 the entire family. All the members of the farm family take some 

 part in the farm business. The women usually help by taking 

 care of the hens and in some of the other farm work. They go 

 to town to get farm supplies, often board some of the hired help, 

 and usually take a considerable part in other farm operations at 

 times of unusual pressure of farm work. They often direct the 

 farm work during the absence of the head of the family. Chil- 

 dren on farms practically always help with the work. There are 

 many things that a small boy can do as well as a man. It is not 

 of vital importance to the family whether one is a carpenter or a 

 mason, but when one decides to be a farmer the family must be 

 consulted, because farming is a family occupation. 



One of the primary advantages of a farm is its value as a 

 place to bring up children. The farm provides a healthful and 

 wholesome life. Children on a farm learn to take life and work 

 seriously. They have the best form of apprenticeship by working 

 with their parents. The reason why farm boys get along so well 



