THE CO-OPERATIVE FARM TRIUMPHANT.
The beginning of the second decade of the twentieth century, saw the
final triumph of the co-operative farm at Solaris. The five years of
trial and probation, have swiftly passed into history. The labors of the
colony, have been crowned with a rich harvest of success. A great work
for humanity, has been accomplished. A grand lesson in the economics of
unselfish co-operation, has been demonstrated. A kaleidoscope of new
charms, of fresh beauty, of an infinite variety of change, of unexpected
opportunities, of a host of new expressions, in the possibilities of
social and industrial life; the culmination of untried methods, new
hopes and new aspirations; have marked this victorious climax. All have
contributed, to the happiness of the contented villagers at Solaris;
filling their hearts with brighter hopes for the future.
A new era in agriculture has dawned. With it has come, a new order of
life for farm people. The links of social life, have become more firmly
knit. New chains of enthusiastic interest, in the humanitarian work
represented by the farm, have been forged by the binding associations of
passing years. Ethical, industrial and spiritual life, has been
unfolded, in harmony with the law of progressive planetary evolution.
As an illustration of the perfected possibilities of rural life, this
suggestive and pleasing picture is well nigh complete. Verily! Virtue
has been richly rewarded, by the pure pleasure of right living! To the
truths of these things, the lives of the unselfish co-operators at
Solaris, bear most abundant and convincing testimony. Happiness and
contentment, reign supreme! Social solutions, offer new fields of
pleasure to a generous, progressive people, who are daily becoming
better educated, more dominant as thinkers, more unselfish in all
things, therefore, more virtuous.
In passing from the experimental, to a more perfect stage of
co-operative life, a marvelous change for the better is noted. New
factories have been built, new industries instituted, and organized. The
busy hum of industrial prosperity, everywhere claims attention.
Meanwhile, the demands for a better esthetic culture, have not been
neglected. The interiors of both factory and workshop, have been made
additionally attractive, by a more artistic, educative class of
decorations. All industrial buildings, are surrounded by well-kept
lawns.
Many handsome cottages, showing a great variety of beautiful designs,
cosey, vine-clad and picturesque, environed by gardens and lawns, have
been added to the architectural display of the village. Order, symmetry
and cleanliness, have become the established law of the farm.
Barns, stables, stock yards, pig pens and poultry yards, have been
placed at a safe distance from the village. In the erection of these
necessary buildings, care has been taken, to provide for the removal and
sanitary dry storage, of the daily accumulation of valuable manures.
Especially designed machinery, accomplishes this otherwise unpleasant
task, quickly and easily. By this convenient arrangement, with a very
little labor, these buildings, and the stock housed in them, can at all
times, be kept healthy and clean. A most important consideration!
Everywhere, appear evidences, of the farms increasing wealth in live
stock. Great herds of fine cattle, are fattening in the fields, pastures
and barns. Prize collections of choice sheep, are roaming over grassy
slopes. Fine droves of well grown, healthy swine, in assorted lots, are
contentedly feeding in small fields of fresh clover. The large drove of
beautiful, highly bred horses, is a very valuable one. The poultry
yards, are filled with many varieties of fine fowls. All show the
effects of careful attention, from the hands of care takers, who are
both kind and skillful.
On the opposite side of the village, near the nursery, the numerous fish
ponds are located. Flower bordered, island studded, and tree margined,
with surfaces dotted here and there, by tiny fleets of graceful,
shell-like pleasure boats. They add much to the rare beauty of this
pastoral picture. Beneath the rippling surface of the clear water, in
these miniature lakes, flash the shining scales of a swarming host, of
the most delicious of food fishes.
Fragrant, purple and gold, the heavily laden vineyards, are growing and
glowing in the bright sunlight. They give promise of an early generous
fruitage. Thrifty orchards of healthy well-grown fruit trees, including
many varieties, are fast coming to maturity. Waving fields of golden
grain, ripple in the simmering heat of a noon-day sun, or rustle and
billow with each passing breeze, under the pale light of a harvest moon.
Beautiful fields of cotton and corn, are an inspiration to behold. Fine
fields of vegetables, nurseries, gardens and shrubberies, with a wealth
of lovely flower plots, all add to the charm of the general effect.
The extension of the co-operative system, to embrace the second farm,
has been well started. Fenwick Farm, is the name chosen for this farm
number two, of the series. Two years of intelligent, well-directed work,
by its wide awake, industrious people, have shown surprising results!
They are constantly inspired to do better work by the hope of being able
to reach a degree of success, equal to that achieved by Solaris. In this
respect, the spirit of healthy rivalry, which has arisen, gives them an
advantage, which the parent colony did not have. The success already
attained by Fenwick Farm, has attracted widespread attention, in the
surrounding communities. The effect for the good of the county, and of
its people, socially, politically and financially, has been quite
remarkable. The tax payers of the county, are delighted! They have been
completely won over, to the side of co-operative farming, by the force
of this second example.
One of the greatest gains, which has arisen from co-operative effort
for mutual benefit, between the two colonies, has been practically
illustrated, in the great work of road building. These two co-operative
farm villages, are now connected by a broad, smooth, well graded road.
This road, ten miles in length, is margined by a wide strip of
beautifully kept parking. Five miles of this parking, on either side of
this magnificent boulevard, become the especial care, of each village.
No city in the union, could display better taste, or greater pride, in
keeping these beautiful parks, in the most perfect condition.
In order to keep the park lawns, foliage and flowers, always looking
clean and bright, it becomes necessary to keep this road free from dust.
For this purpose, the entire road surface, is given a frequent
sprinkling with petroleum. After each sprinkling, the enormous pressure
of an hundred-ton roller, soon converts the layer of moistened dust,
into a hard, smooth mass of oily rock. This process is repeated until a
thick, heavy, durable surface of water-proof rock, is secured. This
makes an ideal road! The hard, well pounded, gravelly soil, below, gives
a permanent foundation, because it is so well protected against
moisture, by this broad, indestructible roof of oily rock. The wide,
slightly rounded surface of the road, sheds water like a duck's back.
Consequently, it is always free from mud and dust. The broad rubber
tires of a great variety of freight motors, pleasure mobiles and motor
cycles, do not wear its perfect surface. The very acme of pleasure is
reached, in riding over such a delightful road!
After work hours have passed, the pleasure seekers from both villages,
in merry congenial parties are awheel, enjoying to the utmost, the
pure, sweet, flower-perfumed air, together with the soothing, restful
beauty of a park lined drive, of such extent and variety, as a
multi-millionaire, might not be able to command. Could anything more
delightful be imagined! Is it any wonder, that people from adjoining
counties, thirty miles away, come in droves, to enjoy a ride over this
now famous road! In the hearts of all comers, is stirred the imitative
spirit of rivalry. They return to their homes, determined to co-operate
with their neighbors, at least to an extent that will enable them to
build such roads for themselves. They are convinced, that the excellence
of its roads, in any community, is the only sure test, which will
indicate the exact degree of civilization, attained by its people.
At the village of Solaris, the universal use of Solaris brick, of the
various patterns and sizes, has proved an important factor in the
construction of sidewalks, store houses, industrial buildings, cottages,
the hotel, the schools and the theatre. The visitor is at once impressed
by the wholesome, attractive, substantial appearance, given to the town
by the use of this excellent and durable brick. In this respect, the
square mosaic bricks, of unique design, used in laying the broad
sidewalks, twenty feet in width, which border Railroad Avenue, the
street leading straight from the public square, to the railroad station,
create an effect so marked that it never fails to attract attention and
admiration. The symmetrical trees and well-kept parking which line this
avenue, serve to enhance the pleasing effect.
The artistic skill acquired by the people of Solaris, in the making and
laying of this new style of brick, adds another important advantage, to
the long list offered by co-operative methods. In color, thickness,
sanitary shapes, variety of designs, fire-proof qualities, polished
smoothness and durability, these bricks recommend themselves to the
favor of the general public, wherever they go. Without any effort in the
line of advertising, the general demand for them has continued to
increase, until brick-making has become the leading lucrative industry
on the farm.
Among the new buildings at Solaris, most worthy of mention, are the
theatre, and the two large school buildings, on either side of it. These
structures, are by far the finest ones in the village. The affectionate
pride they excite in the hearts of the villagers, is well deserved.
Centrally located, on the east side of the public square, this
triumvirate of noble buildings, claims the admiration of the beholder,
from any point of view on the open square. The front walls are
beautifully ornamented, in harmony with an architectural design, which
is considered by critics, as exceedingly artistic. Inside, they have
been constructed, finished, fitted and furnished, in accordance with a
design, that will afford to the villagers, the highest order of
education and amusement.
The theatre is two hundred feet long, and seventy-five feet wide. The
schools, are each one hundred and seventy-five feet in length, by forty
feet in width. They are separated from the theatre, by twenty feet of
space. A roomy covered way from the rear, connects them with that
building. In construction, care has been taken, to secure perfect light
and ventilation.
The school on the left, is for pupils who enter the primary, and the
first, second and third, intermediate classes. The one on the right, is
for students, who may be promoted to the first, second and third, high
schools. The seating capacity of each one, is ample for three hundred
children. The decorations of the walls and ceilings are, to a remarkable
degree, both educative and ornamental. The equipment of school
furniture, such as seats, desks, dictionaries, text books, globes and
outline maps; drawing-boards, blackboards and laboratory outfit; glass
cases, for collections of geological specimens and minerals; life size,
physiology models and charts; together, with a complete series of charts
for the other sciences; is the best that could be designed or procured.
The theatre, is a very important part of the educative system.
Fortunately, the acoustic properties, are remarkably fine! The entire
interior, including the high ceiling, is decorated with such boldly
beautiful designs, that they never fail to gratify the artistic sense of
the beholder. At night, the charming effect of these embellishments, is
intensified, by the use of a great number of brilliantly colored
electric lights; which are skillfully grouped and interwoven, as a part
of the general decorative plan. The wide seats, are designed for ease
and comfort. They are richly and durably upholstered, with dark-brown,
polished leather. The seating capacity of this cosey little theatre, is
twenty-five hundred.
The colonists have found this histrionic temple, very useful. It is an
ideal place for farm and village festivals; and for all kinds of
entertainments; such as orations, school exhibitions, graduation
exercises, vocal and instrumental concerts and dramas; lectures, operas
and every class of theatricals. It is also, equally useful and fitting,
for stereopticon and biograph exhibits, of the astronomy, geology,
botany, natural history, microscopical, and photographic clubs.
The large, well equipped stage and dressing rooms, offer a permanent,
desirable home, for the musical, choral and dramatic clubs. At intervals
of three months, four weeks in each year; excellent professional troups
occupy the stage; presenting a fine variety, of wholesome dramas and
operas. In this way, the stage of this farm theatre, is made to
represent and reflect, the passing progress of the dramatic and operatic
world. During the intervals between these star-company weeks, the
home-talent club, presents regular, tri-weekly performances, under the
supervision of a skillful director. The remaining nights are as a rule,
pretty well utilized by the numerous local entertainments, before
mentioned.
This brief sketch of the generous provision, made for the education and
amusement of the people of Solaris, will, in connection with the nursery
and kindergarten, hereafter to be described, show what the co-operative
farm can do, when it undertakes to give to its people a class of
educational training and amusement, which in many respects, is superior
to the best that money can buy for the wealthy. It will also
demonstrate, what can be accomplished, when the farm determines to
produce, and to fittingly educate and train, a superior class of
children, as the most important part of the legitimate work of a
co-operative farm. The highest expression of agriculture! The culture of
children as a fine art! The production of such children, as will make
ideal citizens for a perfect Republic!
The practical class in farm chemistry, only twelve in number, is an
organization made up by a careful selection from the brightest minds and
best thinkers in the colony. Under the leadership of Fillmore Flagg, it
has accomplished some excellent experimental work. It has been able to
add several valuable allied industries to the resources of the farm, in
addition to those already described.
In breaking ground for opening the new mica and zinc mines, a great
quantity of peculiar clay was discovered. This clay was of a very fine
quality, entirely free from sand, gravel or other impurities. Yet,
strangely enough, it would not make good china, porcelain, or pottery!
There was a greasy smoothness of feeling possessed by this clay, which
suggested its name, tallow clay. After considerable exposure to the air,
it would crack and slack until finally dissolved into a fine powder. The
class was puzzled. The members were on their mettle! The more they
worked with this curious clay and failed, the more they became
interested and determined to persevere, until some discovery should
reward them. The greasy quality of the clay, suggested soap-stone. Now,
the class members had long wished for some material out of which they
could manufacture a first-class quality of artificial soap-stone. This
tallow clay promised good results, if they could only eliminate the few
constituents, which were not present in the real soap-stone. The weeks
of careful research spent in this eliminating process, finally crowned
the efforts of the class with a complete success. The result, was an
artificial soap-stone of excellent quality. Even, when molded in thin
plates, it would withstand exposure to intense heat for long periods of
time, without warping or shrinking. It soon became evident, that it
could be made more useful and more valuable, than real soap-stone.
After some weeks of experimental work, in various processes of
manufacture, the right method was reached. Fillmore Flagg was convinced,
that thousands of tons of this product, yielding a large profit, could
be placed on the market much cheaper than the best quality of fire
brick. For a great number of uses in the industrial arts, and for
chemical furnaces, ore-roasting ovens, furnace linings, stove linings
and even stoves, it would prove immeasurably superior. The popular
demand for this new soap-stone, soon sustained the judgment of Fillmore
Flagg. This demand continued to increase until the new industry, became
one of the most profitable on the farm.
After the first success, the class in farm chemistry, in search of
another prize, returned with renewed vigor, to attack the tallow clay.
In working over the formidable heap of tailings, which had accumulated
from the soap-stone experiments, the second prize was quickly found. It
proved even more important than the first! This mass of rejected clay
was found to be exceedingly rich in aluminum. Better still! It was just
in the proper condition, to be most cheaply and easily extracted! It was
a great find! The class members were crowned with laurels! Of course,
they were jubilant. But they were not puffed up with pride! That, was
not their style!
During the fifth year of the reign of the co-operative farm at Solaris,
the following mining industries, were added to its resources. Valuable
mines of mica, lead and zinc, were opened and successfully worked.
Electric car lines, connected these mines with the freight depot at
Solaris Station. There, the lead and zinc, high grade ores, found a
ready market at good prices. The mica was prepared for use at Solaris.
It was then sold at a fine profit, in connection with orders for
soap-stone.
For two years, the canning factory, had furnished another avenue for
profitably marketing large crops of sweet-corn, green peas, asparagus,
tomatoes, peaches, and many kinds of perishable fruits and berries.
The demand for Solaris Vegetable Concentrates, and for Solaris Mixture
Concentrates, has more than doubled. The same is true of the Solaris
breakfast foods, and of the material for delicious breakfast dishes,
prepared from mixtures of parched, sweet, and pop-corn.
The vineyards and the quince, peach, plum and cherry orchards, have
reached the stage of full bearing. Improved methods, careful culture and
the constant use of better chemical agents, for the destruction of
insect enemies, have made the heavy crops of fruits from these vineyards
and orchards, even more desirable and more salable than ever before. The
farm income from grapes and quinces alone amounting to over one hundred
thousand dollars per annum.
The quantity of jellies, jams, preserves and marmalades, made from small
fruits, has more than doubled. The excellence of quality, and
established reputation for absolute purity, has rapidly increased the
demand for them at fancy prices.
Altogether, the rapid and continuous growth of the farm income, from its
allied agricultural and manufacturing industries, has largely increased
the wages of the co-operators. The purchases at the store have been
correspondingly augmented. The sale of goods by the store, to
surrounding communities, has been greatly extended. The result has been
a constantly increasing volume of the seven and one-half per cent
profits, steadily pouring into the insurance fund. Both the general
service fund and the fund for purposes of education and amusement, have
been equally benefited. Fifty thousand dollars, have been added to the
stock of goods, in the store. The store building, has been enlarged and
improved. A large hotel for the accommodation of the constantly
increasing number of visitors, has been erected and equipped. At all
times, plenty of money has been at hand, with which to push forward all
necessary farm or village improvements. The fame of such general
prosperity, has gone abroad, in the land; placing the financial standing
of the Solaris Farm Company, on a firm basis with the commercial world.
Five years of co-operative work, have convinced the people of Solaris,
that successful agriculture, demands the determined effort, the best
thought, the scientific work and the combined energy of a well organized
force of earnest, unselfish, steadfast workers. They are very
enthusiastic over the wonderful results achieved. Freed from the
shackles and sins of a selfish life, they bear the unmistakable stamp of
progress, socially, industrially, intellectually and ethically. Having
cast aside the burden of care and worry about the future, both for
themselves and their children, they have had a chance to grow and expand
in the real sunshine of life. They have become dignified, self-poised,
well dressed, educated, refined, cultured and polished men and women.
Good citizens, of which, any commonwealth might well be proud! Vitally,
and vastly more important! They have become dominant thinkers, who are
capable of wisely and unselfishly, thinking and planning for the benefit
of the Republic!
In the remarkable success achieved by Solaris Farm, our hero, Fillmore
Flagg, has realized his highest ambition, his brightest hopes. Relieved
from further responsibility, as general manager, by the last annual
election of the Solaris Farm Company, he has had an opportunity to turn
his attention to organizing companies, for the eight remaining farm
sites. In this work, he has had valuable assistance from the officers
and members of the company. With a view of making Solaris the present
headquarters of the general movement; acting on advice of Fillmore
Flagg, the Solaris Farm Company, has amended its charter, to increase
the membership of the company to one thousand; doubling the capital
stock. Five thousand acres of adjoining lands have been secured, the
farmers from whom they were purchased, coming into the company as
stock-holders. This course seemed necessary and wise, in order to
properly balance the growing industrial and commercial importance of
Solaris. With such a large increase in the number of co-operators, a
surplus of capable young men and women, would be available, from which
to select volunteers, as the nucleus of a corps of experienced officers
for the newly organized farm companies. In this way, Solaris, as the
parent farm, would become very important as the training school, for
teachers that were to supply the wants of such new farms as might grow
out of the general movement.