Edina I Knew
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Fifteen Acres
I find myself wishing I had the authority to order every newly wedded couples to own 15-20 acres of land. I say this with fear in mind that extreme hard times are just a short bit down the road.
A couple with one or two children could survive on this much land with the proper management, capital, and knowledge. On this much land you could build a house and small barn. Have enough land for 5 acres of pasture; enough for production of corn and hay.
One could plant nut producing trees like walnut, hickory, and pecan with room for blackberries on the borders and fence lines. You would need 5 acres for corn. You would then plant watermelon, muskmelon, and pumpkin especially on the end rows. Some of the corn you would cut and shock. Eat all the melons you want and sell the rest. If possible, build a small pond for animal water and a source of fish to eat.
You will need a milk cow which you would breed to a beef type bull via artificial means. You would have one sow – landrace, if possible, hoping one of your neighbors would keep a boar for hire. Sell the excess pigs to your neighbors of misfortunate relations.
Now, you need 50 brown leghorn and 50 white rock hens. You will have eggs and chicken to sell. For the important or most important thing, you set aside an acre for a garden in which you can grow enough beans, potatoes, and tomatoes for your family and a couple relatives.
You will build a barn big enough for your cow and pigs. Large enough to store hay, corn, etc. with room to spare for your tractor and hopefully pigeons.
Hopefully, you can hook up to city or rural water but just in case we will drill a living deep water well. On the roof we will have a wind charger which will store energy in large batteries for daily or emergency use. The attic will be large enough for kids sleeping quarters.
You will need an oversize garage. Half for the car and half for short time storage. Plenty of room for storing firewood. Plant berry canes/ bushes along the fence line for gooseberry, blackberry plants/bushes. Plant hickory nut, walnut trees in fence line and around the pond. Stock your pond with crappie, bass, and catfish. Be sure to plant enough berry canes to insure food for rabbits. Buy a hive of honey bees to encourage growth of clovers.
Teach your children how to swim. Checkout your local church. Give a stranger a watermelon, make arrangements with our neighbor to share and exchange food stuff. Like you plant half acre of popcorn and I will plant half an acre of turnips. Plant enormous amounts of freebies like rhubarb, asparagus and winter onions. Plants that reproduce themselves like perennials.
Own a .22 caliber rifle, belong to an extension club. Trade your lawn mower out for a garden tiller. Make homemade root beer. Eat what you can and can what you can’t. Sell surpluses too. Put up bluebird and wren houses.
