COLONY PLANS AND INSTITUTIONS 



irrigated land we have observed a simple method of 

 giving to the owners of small farms most of the advan- 

 tages of town life. This is accomplished by assembling 

 their homes in village centres with outlying farms. This 

 is an old custom in Europe, is the most universal plan 

 in Utah, and has been adopted in many other western 

 localities. It is not free from drawbacks, and should 

 not be made obligatory upon the settlers, but experience 

 has proven that in much the greater portion of the year 

 the advantages are decidedly in favor of living in the 

 town. 



Most men are willing to consult the convenience and 

 happiness of their families as much as their own. When 

 they do this they realize what it is worth to have neighbors 

 close at hand, and to live near to the school, church, 

 store, post-office, and all else so essential to civilized 

 life. The farmers who live in the town have the bene- 

 fit of clubs, libraries, and various forms of instruction 

 and entertainment. They and their families enjoy a 

 full and rounded life compared with the lean existence 

 of those whose society is mostly limited to quadrupeds. 

 The farmer's village home must be ample. Not less 

 than an acre is really satisfactory, but this is quite suffi- 

 cient, considering that the farm is distant but a few 

 minutes 7 drive, and that he participates in facilities else- 

 where for the care of live-stock, if he has any consider- 

 able number. Furthermore, the farmer is interested in 

 the growth of the town-site, and the more it gains in 

 population and appearance the more he will realize from 

 the sale of its business and residence lots. 



A colony needs no political institutions other than 

 those ordained by the State in which it is located. But 



283 



