Edgewood, WA Real Estate Blog » Farming

A Book Report – Ten Acres Enough: The Classic 1864 Guide to Independent Farming

Lee Mason, The Masters Realty Group LLC — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:48:59 +0000

Morris, Edmund (1864) Ten Acres Enough: The Classic 1864 Guide to Independent Farming. ISBN 0-486-437-X

I found a reference to this book as I was searching on-line for information about heirloom seeds. I was intrigued because of the publishing date.

The book is about a man telling his story of leaving the big city to become a truck farmer. Weary of the pressures and vicissitudes of working in a metropolis, he saved his money and moved his family to the country where he purchased 10 acres to farm.

Although a novice farmer, he apparently was both an avid reader, as well as a willing student of successful farmers. Written for people searching for a way out of city life, he details his discoveries and lays out a road map for those who choose to follow his path.

Although intended as a practical guide, I found it quite an inspirational book. It reminded me of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits book.

The author’s strongest messages include:

You can’t use too much compost
Go for quality over quantity in all things
Don’t be afraid to try new things (but keep it small until you if it works or not)
Failure in one pursuit does not imply failure in the next – keep moving, keep trying, keep a good attitude

This little book was worth the time to read it although it gets a little tedious towards the end (especially given the writing style of the 1860’s). It’s particularly apropos for those who have a back-to-the-land farming inclination.

Easter lamb taken by coyote in Edgewood

Lee Mason, The Masters Realty Group LLC — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 16:35:52 +0000

We lost one of the lambs (the little black one) born Easter to a coyote Sunday morning. I presume it was a coyote and not a marauding dog because all that was left was the entrails.

We’ve had 3 additional lambs born since Easter. Unfortunately, they’re all male.

Sometimes nature is hard.

New residents of Edgewood arrive unexpectedly Easter morning

Lee Mason, The Masters Realty Group LLC — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:15:26 +0000

I was delighted to find new twin baby lambs Easter morning when I went to feed. It was windy and raining hard and the first-time mom was having trouble taking care of them. It was touch and go for a bit. We were lucky to find them when we did.

They are both now doing well that they’re warm, dry and fed. Both are females. I think we’ll call them salt and pepper.

The red you see in the picture is from a heat lamp used to warm them up.