I slowly digested Ten Acres Enough by Edmond Morris in the summer of 2018. Reading a few pages while I ate lunch or found I needed to sit down for a break. As I read, I often felt renewed energy and motivation to continue, keep on with the tasks at hand staying focued with the big goals.
The end of 2020 is approaching. I find myself looking back at what I accomplished and what goals I want to set for 2021.
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I gained a new perspective for the property I live on reading thorough Ten Acres Enough. My view shifted. Instead of seeing it through the eyes of where a horse barn, shelters, and pasture could go, I began to see where blueberries, grapes, and garlic might produce the best.
The mistaken ambition for owning twice as much land as one can thoroughly manure or profitably cultivate, is the great agricultural sin of this country.
Edmund Morris in Ten Acres Enough
At times, this homesteading journey can feel a bit lonely, but reading Ten Acres Enough I found a kinship with a man and his family now passed. After living and owning a business in the city for 20 years, he fulfills a longtime dream of owning farm ground in the country.
His farm, he purchased in the 1850’s. This is no typo. Nor is the price he paid, $1,000.00 for 11 acres, with a house and barn on it. The land I have is 11.7 acres and believe me the price was well above $1000.00.
I found myself inspired as I read Edmund’s account of creating food and an income to support his family by farming 10 acres of land.
Maria Graber
Interesting Facts found in Ten Acres Enough
Edmund Morris shares not only of his personal experience, but also of farming practices and the economic impact of the last half of the 1800’s.
Facts to Ponder
- produce and fruit prices at that time,
- the price they paid for manure (that they even paid for manure),
- weed control methods,
- how they used manure,
- how they dealt with insects and worms that damaged crops,
- their experience (or perhaps inexperience) with chickens.
Eventually, Edmund hired not only one, but 2 people to help on only 11 acres. This was a family with 6 children who also helped.
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The words he used to share his story have added to my vocabulary. Some I have never heard in this day and age and likely will not.
This book provided me with a new view of our land and produced many new ideas to ponder on. I intend to reread Ten Acres Enough, as I plan for 2021. In the coming months and years I will reference certain practices mentioned though out this book
It takes a man a great while to learn the way of Providence, and to understand that things are better contrived for him than he can can contrive for himself.
Edmund Morris in Ten Acres Enough
Winter is Proverbially the farmer’s holiday. But it was no idle time with me. ….. The careful man will find a world of fixing up to do for winter.
Edmund Morris in Ten Acres Enough
I recommend this book to any and all who desire a homestead lifestyle. If you read or have read this book, I would be trilled to hear what stood out to you.
If you can not afford a physical copy, good news! Written in 1864, prior to copywrite laws, it is considered public domain. It can be read free as an e-book in downloadable PDF form: https://archive.org/details/tenacresenoughpr00morriala/page/n5