68 NEW VOCATION FOR CITY FAMILY 



Occasionally city people who have saved a little money 

 consult me about getting started on a farm. It is neces- 

 sary to have some capital, and the more the better, but 

 the situation is always hopeful for the family that has 

 prudence and energy sufficient to accumulate $1,000. 



To move from the city to the country, with no capital, 

 would appear to be a serious undertaking, and the writer 

 would not advise city people to undertake it. However, 

 if a small capital has been saved up, the move can be 

 made. 



A good method of procedure for the man with $1,000 

 would be to select ten acres close to some suburban 

 station and within an hour's ride of the city. The price 

 would be $1,500 to $2,000. He could get a banker with 

 whom he has had business relations, or a personal friend, 

 to finance the project to the extent of $3,000 or $4,000. 

 It might be best to retain city employment for the first 

 year, while equipping the little farm and getting things 

 started. 



Substantial progress can be made in this first year. 

 The family may start a good garden, an orchard, a 

 flock of poultry, keep a few cows and pigs, and grow most 

 of their own table supplies. 



If the wife knows how to prepare food and understands 

 how to be frugal, the actual money expense for the farm 

 living may be made very small, while at the same time the 

 standard of living, from the standpoint of food, may be 

 much higher than is possible even with wealthy people in 

 the city. 



At first the principal aim should be to produce truck 

 crops for home consumption. As experience is gained, 

 the industry may be enlarged and a market established. 

 Many men have made the transition in this manner; 

 others have started with one or two cows, and have let 

 the business grow from the profits obtained in it ; others 



