530 FARM MANAGEMENT 



one invests his small capital in good buildings and fences, 

 with too little or too poor land, he is indeed handicapped. 



339. Gate's advice on buying a farm. Few if any of 

 these ideas on choosing a farm are new. It is interesting 

 to see how well they agree with some of the writers of two 

 thousand years ago. Some of Gate's writings as trans- 

 lated by " A Virginia Farmer " in " Gate's Farm Manage- 

 ment " are interesting. 



" When you have decided to purchase a farm, be careful 

 not to buy rashly ; do not spare your visits and be not 

 content with a single tour of inspection. The more you 

 go, the more will the place please you, if it be worth your 

 attention. Give heed to the appearance of the neigh- 

 borhood, a flourishing country should show its pros- 

 perity. ' When you go in, look about, so that, when 

 needs be, you can find your way out.' 



" Take care that you choose a good climate, not sub- 

 ject to destructive storms, and a soil that is naturally 

 strong. ' If possible, your farm should be at the foot of a 

 mountain, looking to the west, in a healthy situation, 

 where labor and cattle can be had, well watered, near a 

 good-sized town, and either on the sea or a navigable 

 river, or else on a good and much frequented road. Choose 

 a place which has not often changed ownership, one which 

 is sold unwillingly, that has buildings in good repair. 



" Beware that you do not rashly contemn the experi- 

 ence of others. It is better to buy from a man who has 

 farmed successfully and built well. 



" When you inspect the farm, look to see how many 

 wine presses and storage vats there are ; where there are 

 none of these, you can judge what the harvest is. On 

 the other hand, it is not the number of farming imple- 

 ments, but what is done with them, that counts, Where 



