CAPITAL 309 



payment. The farm is then rented while one continues 

 in his position. In this way a farm may be bought long 

 before it could possibly be purchased if one were to at- 

 tempt to equip and run it. The salary should usually pay 

 the interest and some of the principal. The rent may be 

 applied on the principal. Either the salary or rent should 

 pay the interest. It is not likely that both will fail in the 

 same year. If one were on the farm and had a crop failure, 

 he might lose the place. When the farm is largely paid 

 for, one may move on to it. This is the plan followed by 

 nearly all the men who wish to farm and who are in ex- 

 periment station and government work. 



One great advantage of buying a farm as soon as pos- 

 sible is that it ties one to the land. A salaried position 

 may wean one away from the farm. The farm furnishes 

 a place to spend vacations. It forces one to economize 

 in his youth. There is a general tendency for land values 

 to rise. If wisely chosen, the rise in value of the farm may 

 be equal to the interest. 



The first farm purchased need not be the one on which 

 the final home is to be made. If it is a good investment, 

 it may be sold and a larger and more desirable place may 

 be purchased. 



In choosing a farm, productive soil is the first considera- 

 tion. It rarely pays to work a farm that is not located 

 in a prosperous community. 



197. Starting as a tenant. A young man who has 

 worked hard and efficiently and has made a reputation for 

 honesty usually finds it easy to rent a good farm as soon 

 as he has saved enough money to start. Part of the pay 

 for being a good " hand " is the better chance that is 

 likely to come as a tenant. 



Young men of small means are commonly recommended 



