FIVE ACRES TOO MUCH.
A TRUTHFUL ELUCIDATION
OF
AND
A CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE
Question of Profit and Loss as involved in
Amateur Farming,
WITH MUCH
VALUABLE ADVICE AND INSTRUCTION TO THOSE ABOUT
PURCHASING LARGE OR SMALL PLACES
IN THE RURAL DISTRICTS.
NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION.
BY
ROBERT BARNWELL ROOSEVELT,
AUTHOR OF “GAME FISH OF NORTH AMERICA,” “SUPERIOR FISHING,”
“FLORIDA AND THE GAME WATER BIRDS,” “PROGRESSIVE PETTICOATS,”
“FISH HATCHING AND FISH CATCHING,” ETC.
————
NEW YORK:
O. JUDD CO. DAVID W. JUDD, Pres.
751 Broadway.
1885.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1885, by the
O. Judd Company,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
TO
THE WRITERS OF BOOKS
ON
FARMING, GARDENING, HORTICULTURE, AGRICULTURE,
AND FLORICULTURE,
THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
AS AN EVIDENCE
OF WHAT CAN BE DONE AND WHAT WONDERFUL RESULTS
CAN BE PRODUCED BY A CAREFUL STUDY OF
THEIR DIRECTIONS AND STRICT OBEDIENCE
TO THEIR RULES;
AND
AS A SLIGHT TESTIMONIAL TO THE ACCURACY, LUCIDITY,
AND PRACTICABILITY OF THE ADVICE WHICH THEY
GIVE AND THE EXPERIENCES THEY DESCRIBE;
IN THE SINCERE HOPE
THAT THEY WILL NEVER WEARY OF COMPOSING BOOKS
EQUALLY TRUTHFUL, TRUSTWORTHY,
AND INTERESTING.
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
| [INTRODUCTION.] | |
|---|---|
| Apotheosis of the Country, especially of such Portions of the Countryas the Author has for sale.—Many Attractions and still moreLots at Flushing.—Simplicity of Farming, and Lucidity of AgriculturalBooks.—Profits and Pleasures of Rural Life | [Page ix] |
| [CHAPTER I.] A COW. | |
| Special Points about the Bovine Race.—Directions in Feeding.—Preparationsto receive the Animal.—Her Arrival.—An awfulPause.—The Fray about to begin.—Intelligence of Cows and Biddies.—Victory.—ACalm.—Cow Complainings.—ApproachingStorm.—A Tempest in a back Yard.—Soothing Effects of “Mash.”—ImmenseProfits and glorious Prospects for the Future.—Peculiaritiesand Eccentricities of the Race as exhibited in a confinedSpace.—She is sent to the Country for the benefit of herHealth | [19] |
| [CHAPTER II.] A HOUSE, PLANS, AND SPECIFICATIONS. | |
| Wonderful architectural Genius of the Author.—He admires himselfand consults his Friends.—Difficulties in obtaining “just theThing.”—Want of Time.—Free Trade in Houses advocated assuperior to Home Production.—The imported Article falls intothe Hands of a Philistine named Barney.—A fresh Arrival.—TheHouse comes, but the Builder does not.—The Charge of theLight Brigade, and Flight of the Housekeeper | [37] |
| [CHAPTER III.] MORE LIVE-STOCK—A HORSE AND A PIG. WHICH IS THE NOBLER ANIMAL? | |
| Beauties of the Pig.—Defects of the Horse.—The dearest Pig andthe dearest Horse, each in their way.—A haunted House, and theEffect of Ghosts on Horses.—The Ghost Story precisely as it occurred.—AreGhosts liable to Damages when they frighten Horsesinto fits of running away?—Equine Eccentricities.—Practical Playfulness | [61] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] THE COUNTRY, AND HOW TO GET THERE. | |
| Easy Accessibility of Flushing.—An improving Railroad.—Educationby Steam.—True Principles of Travel | [77] |
| [CHAPTER V.] A WELL. | |
| A Well, considered classically and otherwise.—A Cat in search ofthe Truth.—A Catastrophe.—Pumps and Vanities of Life.—Apoor Sucker.—Hydraulic Pressure | [86] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] A KITCHEN GARDEN. | |
| Advantages thereof.—Things to have.—You wish you may get them.—Ornamentalas opposed to practical Views.—A dissolving View.—BadBeginnings do not always make a good Ending.—DanielO’Rourke’s as a grazing Crop.—The new-mown Hay.—Its Flavorand Flower.—Remarkable Results of Gardening for Profit | [97] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] THE FLOWER GARDEN. | |
| Architectural Skill set at defiance by practical Difficulties.—Resultof too much Greenness.—A Disappointment | [111] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] POULTRY. | |
| Strange Attack of Somnolency.—Dogs and Peppers as awakeners.—Theright Thing in the wrong Place.—A Hen lays herself out.—Twentypair of Chickens raise the Hair of one Mink | [124] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] FALL WORK. | |
| A Fortune in Strawberries.—How to get it out.—Debility developed.—Scienceto the Rescue.—The wonderful Effects of a Liquid Fertilizer.—NoFarmer should fail to have such a Thing in theHouse | [136] |
| [CHAPTER X.] PROFIT AND LOSS. | |
| Immense pecuniary Advantages of high old Farming.—Exactitudethe Foundation of Success in Life.—A plain Statement.—GeneralReflections.—An amateur Butcher.—Boiled salt Pork | [148] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] THE FLUSHING SKATING-POND—A DIGRESSION. | |
| A nice Man as an Ice-man | [161] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] THE SECOND YEAR. | |
| A new Start, with no Drawbacks.—Immense Results, but not preciselywhat was wanted.—The great Pea turns out small.—Wonderfulobstinacy of Plants | [169] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] SCIENCE. | |
| Knowledge is Power.—The new Flower.—A Thing of Beauty.—Appearancecontrasted with Perfume.—The Fox is the Finder | [179] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] A SECOND DIGRESSION—FAIRY TALES FOR LITTLE FOLKS. | |
| Retributive Justice.—Don’t be such a Goose | [189] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] NUISANCES, INHUMAN AND HUMAN. PETS—THE CHARM OF COUNTRY LIFE. | |
| With a few Reservations.—Flies on the Rampage.—Wonderful Discovery.—Dogson Seedlings.—A Hop-toad Hunt | [203] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] BUTTER-MAKING. SEEDS AND THE DEVIL. | |
| Butter-making in all its Attractions.—The Cream unequal to theEmergency.—Some Things can’t be Done as well as Others.—ElectricalPhenomena.—Gathering Seed.—Incidental Referenceto Satan and his Works.—not his agricultural ones | [216] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] SUCCESS OF THE YEAR. | |
| A second Year’s Balance-sheet.—Still greater Promises.—Successassured.—Every Man should be his own Market Gardener.—Nodearth of Onions.—Transported at the Result.—The last of thefamily Horse.—He closes his Career by a wonderful Feat in drawingTeeth Page. | [233] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] PREPARATIONS FOR REMOVAL. | |
| The Window Garden.—Warm Work.—Immense Resources of Science.—Mindagainst Matter.—What can the Matter be?—Thenew Flower. | [253] |
| [CHAPTER XIX.] A GREAT RUNNER. | |
| A perfect Jonah.—Very fine, only don’t do it again.—A Gourdruns away with its Master.—A changeable Crimson.—A newSpecimen of Flax, Red one Year and Yellow the next. | [266] |
| [CHAPTER XX.] A BEAUTIFUL NEW COACH. | |
| A Rockaway stricken with Palsy.—Sudden Recovery.—Honesty ofcountry Mechanics their best Recommendation.—A Roof overone’s Head.—Its Necessity, as well as Beauty.—A Fellow-feelingmakes us willing to lend Shingles.—The latter End. | [283] |
| [CHAPTER XXI.] THREE HUNDRED ACRES NOT ENOUGH. | |
| New Farms.—More Land.—No Rooms for Mushrooms.—ManySects of Insects.—The Squash.—Unexpected Fungi.—TheTriumph that Grazed Defeat.—The Joys of Memory. | [297] |
I N T R O D U C T I O N.
IT was in consequence of reading a little volume called “Ten Acres Enough”—a practical and statistical, as well as, in certain points, a poetical production—that I came to prepare this volume. In that work a charming and interesting account is given of the successful attempt of a Philadelphia mechanic to redeem a strip of exhausted land of ten acres in extent. In the course of it, a vast deal of advice and most valuable directions are given on the subject of planting and sowing, draining and reaping, manuring and pruning; berries and fruits, vines and vegetables, are duly considered; and the question of outlay and income, expenses and receipts, losses and profits, is forever ding-donged into one’s ears. So useful is the instruction it contains, that no one should think of buying a farm, experimenting in rural life, or even reading this book, without first perusing that one. To be sure, the author forgets occasionally some minor matters—such as clothing, food, and the like, leaving his family naked and unfed for several years—but that is doubtless due to his poetical temperament and intense love of nature. In the same spirit, therefore, no matter how frequently I may refer to money matters in the course of the following pages, even if I should occasionally condescend to speak of food and raiment—those commonplace necessities—it must be understood to be with no sordid view; and if I keep these matters before the reader’s attention, it will be for the sole purpose of benefiting and enlightening him, and pointing out clearly the financial consequence of investing in rural residences.
The country—how beautiful it is! To a man wearied with the cares of city life; who has pursued an exhausting profession for several years with vigorous energy; who has taken a hand in politics, attended caucuses and Conventions, and helped to “run the machine;” who has a philanthropic turn of mind, and gone on committees and made public collections; and who, moreover, has abundant means—this, though last, is by no means least—the country, with its green leaves, its lovely flowers, its waving grass, its early vegetables, and its luscious fruits, is most attractive; and where a residence can be obtained which combines all these luxuries with pure air, and no chills and fever, and which is not too remote from city life and its attractions, it is as near to Paradise as this world permits.
There are many such places near New York. Gorgeous villas dot the banks of the Hudson, and congregate together thickly on Staten Island; there are beautiful spots along the coves of Westchester County, and persons who do not mind expatriating themselves go to Jersey; but there is one locality that far surpasses all others. The steep banks of the Hudson, cut off as they are from the westerly winds by the Palisades and higher hills beyond them, are uncomfortably hot; Staten Island is overrun by sourkrout-eating, lager-beer-drinking, and small-bird-shooting Germans, who trespass with Teutonic determination wherever their notions of sportsmanship or the influence of lager leads them; Westchester County, like some of our famous prima donnas, is fair to look upon, but great on shakes—too much so for perfect repose; and Jersey will be a pleasant place to live in when the inhabitants, individually and as a government, cease to live off strangers.
The locality referred to—the chosen spot of this earth—the Eden of a country village—has none of these drawbacks. An invigorating breeze blows over pure salt marshes; Germans do not trespass nor make one afraid; no man residing there has ever had a case of chills and fever, no matter what may have happened to his neighbor, where the boys are forever out o’ nights and exposed to the dew; and the inhabitants are always ready to kindly take a stranger in.
It is a village, and yet country houses stand embosomed in majestic trees; cows pasture in the vacant lots and bellow in the streets; nurseries for the propagation of trees and shrubs give a condensed edition of miniature forests, and furnish in one rod the flowers that Nature, if left alone to her parsimonious way, would scatter over an acre; gas is in the residences, pigs root in the public roads, and early peas are combined with plank side-walks. This unequaled concentration of attractions can be reached in thirty minutes from either the upper or lower part of the city—of course New York city is meant, as no one need leave Philadelphia or Boston to get into the country—and by a most delightful route, partly on water and partly by railroad. The trains run every hour all through the day, and the line is the safest in the world. This spot, so desirable, so infinitely superior to all others, is Flushing, Long Island.
I have some property at Flushing which I should like to sell in lots to suit purchasers; in fact, it is five acres of such lots—the five acres that this book is all about. I owned this superior investment when “Ten Acres Enough” led me to thinking that if the author could make such a delicious thing of a plot of sand in New Jersey, as much could probably be done with half the area in the fine soil of Flushing. Unfortunately, my land had no improvements, but then it was a magnificent level square, precisely like a block in the city, and admirably adapted to building. Otherwise my five acres were full as good as the half of his ten acres; the grass seemed to be abundant, for the cows of the entire neighborhood had grazed on it from time immemorial; a previous owner had been once known to plant cabbages, and the tradition is that they grew and came out cabbages, and did not, as they usually do, spread themselves and become very fine but rather loose leaves. The soil was deep, a well having been sunk on the adjoining property without descending beyond it, or reaching any water worth speaking of; and the exposure was as sunny as could be desired—there being only six trees, and one of those in doubtful health, on the entire five acres. Teachers generally say, on receiving a new pupil from another master, that there is more trouble to unlearn than to learn; here there was nothing to be undone—everything was to be done. It was not exactly a virgin soil, but, like a lovely widow, it had lain fallow—a friendly farmer made use of that word—so long, that it would be grateful for the touch of a rake or a hoe. There was no garden, no fence, no orchard, and no fruit-trees of any kind except one apple-tree, but then the nurseries and a little labor would make this right.
An unpleasant suspicion crossed my mind that perhaps it would have been better if some of these things had been done to my hand, and that possibly I was not exactly the man to do them in the best way; but a second perusal of “Ten Acres Enough” was enough for me, and these absurd doubts were banished forever. If an uneducated mechanic could leave Philadelphia, rescue a decaying farm, and make it splendidly remunerative, why could not an educated lawyer from New York convert an uninjured farm into the eighth or ninth—we Americans have added a few to them—wonder of the world?
The affair was as simple as could be. With a class-book of botany, a recipe from Professor Mapes, a few cuttings of some wonderful new berry—of which, doubtless, there were plenty, and Bridgman’s “Gardener’s Assistant,” the result was certain. It was merely a question of seeds, weeds, and manure—the first and last to be encouraged, and the other to be eradicated.
After all, what is the wonderful science in farming? You put a seed in the ground, and it comes up—that is, if it does come up—either a pea or a bean, a carrot or a turnip, and, with your best skill and greatest learning, you can not plant a pea and induce it to come up a bean, or convert a carrot into a turnip. As for planting, any fool can do that, and as for making it grow, the wisest man in the land can not effect it. These and a few other similar arguments were entirely conclusive, and soon visions of the accomplished fact engrossed my mind.
I should have a neat, modest, small, but cosy little house; square, for economy’s sake, but surrounded on all sides by a deep piazza; the garden should be filled with delicious vegetables, fruits, and berries, the earliest and best of their kinds; there should be a magnificent bed of asparagus—that king of the kitchen garden—a dozen long rows of strawberries, with fruit as luscious as a young girl’s lips; Bartlett pears, early peas, peaches and cream—the latter only indirectly vegetable—cauliflowers, tomatoes, mushrooms, lettuce—every thing, in fact, that a gentleman eats when he can get it, and nothing that he eschews when he can do no better. The residue of the farm was to be partly orchard and partly market garden, and this was to supply the family during the winter and pay the expenses of the household.
It is an immense satisfaction, of a hot evening in summer, even in the prematurely scorching days of June, to leave the city, after a long day of labor and trouble, and, rushing away with railroad speed into the country, to enjoy the delicious air and cool breeze, to sit beneath the outspreading trees, to wander through the woods, to bathe in the brook, to doze or smoke in the shade. The scent of the blossoms or the hay, or no smell at all, is such an exquisite relief from the customary odors of New York streets. The sun seems to lose half and the air to gain double its ordinary power. The pleasures are so innocent, the matters of interest so pure, the mind is braced but not wearied. The garden, whether kitchen or flower garden—those delightful adjuncts of a country place—is such an infinite source of health, improvement, and delight. Man, confined to the city by dire necessity of money-making, recognizing the country as the natural sphere of his existence, dreams of a neat, quiet, retired country place, and books such as “Ten Acres Enough” persuade him to convert these dreams into realities.
I had always been troubled with similar visions, although by a strange fatality my education in country matters had been wofully neglected, for I could hardly distinguish tomato-vines from egg-plants, and had not the remotest notion of modes or seasons of planting; but, now that there was a possibility that these imaginings might be realized, I was so charmed, that I resolved to record my experiences for the guidance and instruction of others. Thus it came about that this work was written; and if it is occasionally defective in style and irregular in plan, it is probably not more so than was my farming.
In looking over this introduction with a view to getting up a revised and enlarged edition of “Five Acres too Much” some fifteen years after the original was written, I find little to add and less to change in it. Finding my farm of five acres so remarkably improving, productive, and remunerative, I purchased one of twenty-five, afterwards another of a hundred and twenty, and now I own, have, hold, possess, till, and enjoy three hundred and fifty broad acres of health and fertility. To-day I am the “past grand” of farmers, for I have raised the giant squash which admits to the innermost circles of the initiated. My readers will be glad to learn that Patrick is still with me. My farming and my writings on farm-life would have been a failure without his efficient aid, and he still possesses that versatility of resources which in the original pages of this work almost elevated him to the rank of genius. I have added some of our modern experiences, and believe the patient reader will find them fully equal to anything I had previously chronicled. When my dear old friend and instructor Mr. Horace Greeley first read my humble contribution to the literature of plough and spade, he pronounced the unpleasant criticism that “the man who wrote that book ought to be kicked.” But I felt that he was in error, or that possibly jealousy rather than public spirit dictated his cynical words, because “What I knew about Farming” differed in some essentials from what he knew, although we had in the main reached the same results. An additional chapter gives my subsequent operations, which were as gloriously successful as the previous ones, and prove beyond dispute the delight, benefit, and profit of rural occupations when they are intelligently conducted by a citizen of liberal education, scientific attainments, and vigorous back.
The Author.