The Seattle Star Newspaper, July 8, 1920, Page 8

THE SEATTLE STAR COUNTRY HOMES Rural Seattle Development Means Much for Washington Bureau Opened at Walker Building by Puget Mill Company T HEART most of us are ruralists—we yearn for a country life of health and happiness and plenty. But complex civilization has crowded us into cities. And here we are, each met into a particular niche, surrendering our economic independence to relentless circumstance. Who can say he has never dreamed of a garden spot, some where, some time? Who has never hoped for a home blessed with abundance of good things to eat, and free from the terrific toll of distribution costs? Yet we are not free to revert to utter independence of cities. Many of-us are fitted to the job, and would not, if we could, turn our backs to the city, and to all the conveniences we have created to make mass life more comfortable. A Few of us would abandon Seattle, with her gentle climate, her majestic settinig, and her splendid opportunities for future gain. Country Life Satisfaction for Man Who Works in City So the time has come for “Ruralizing the City”—for bringing country life satisfaction to the man who works in Seattle. Indeed, forces with vision and resource have been earnestly at work in a new movement, which has culminateed in the “Homecroft”, association plan for the “Acre-Culturist.’ And what is “Homecroft”? What is an “Acre-Culturist”? “Homecroft” means food production—to spend less and get more, by surrounding your city home with intensive, recreational production. “Homecroft” means elbow-room, with b peed of fresh air, a house and a garage, fronted with urban lawn, backed with garden and poultry house. “Homecroft” means an acre of land, scientifically laid out, with fruit trees, and strawberries, and peas, and potatoes, at everything else that spells plenty—even profit. “Homecroft” means independence, the antithesis of congestion, in city housing. It means more food, and better food, regardless of ever-mount- ing rices, lomecroft” means a comfortable living, regardless of job, regardless of business depression, regardless of ups and downs that bring suffering in their wake to the man who produces nothing to eat. ‘“‘Homecroft’’ Means Happiness Thru Economic Independence “Homecroft” means a practical solution of the living cost problem. It means giving nature a chance to bless mankind with happiness. There is a touch of the divine in “Homecroft,” because it answers trou- bled hearts in concrete terms. It points THE WAY. HOME FOOD PRODUCTION Portions of the East are becoming interested in the proposition of an association calling itself the “Homecroft Society,” the purpose of which Is to discourage the congestion of city population and induce the settlement of families in suburban distPicts, where plenty of land may b* procured for home garden and poultry raising purposes. It Is confidently claimed that sufficient produce to maintain » small family for one year can be raised on @ plot of ground 560x200 feet, and still leave room enough for a house, To this end instruc tion of the young in food producing possibilities Is recommended, and In many districts this instruction is being incorporated in the public school courves and otherwise disseminated by means of public lectures, It In a practical idea, and particularly serviceable in these days of high food costa. A faulty system’ for the production and distribution of food has imposed a heavy burden upon heads of farnilies in moderate circumstapces. It has demonstrated by the Homecroft people that intense cultivation of a small bit of soll is capable of relieving the family purse of # heavy drain. More than that, the family on a suburban Iq of less than a quarter acre \ can casily indulge in poultry raising, with profit, at the same time. At Duluth, Minn., Watertown, Mass, and Los Angeles, where experiments along these lines have been made, the results are reported to have exceeded expectations, Without any organized movement, the need for family econqmy has driven hundreds of families, locally, to practice the Homecroft cult without urging. They began it in war time for a patriotic purpose, but continue it today for personal economic motives, The family that can produce its potatoes and other vegetables for the year, and supply itself with eggs and poultry for the table, has accomplished something clearly worth while, and the results are perceptible in increased savings. In our own situation suburban rail lines and ferries make the city suburbs easily acceas!- ble to city workers, and these have been quick to advantage themselves by the conven: lences, It is plain that we might wait # long time for the government to step in and decrease the cost of living. Here is a remedy that the citizen may adopt in his own behalf. Puget Mill Company Revolutionizing Rural Life The Puget Mill company has been doing business in the state of Washington wince 1853, Tt was a pioneer then and it is a pioneer now in introducing into the Pacific Northwest what is destined to become the greatest movement in America—namely, the utilizing of «mall areas of land for. food Production and right living Tf, in presenting these facts of accomplishment and purposes of the “New Life of the Land at Alderwood Manor, you are impressed with the advantages of this form of life, we further call your attention to the points of superiority at Alderwood Manor for your eettlement there: ‘Taxes on lands in Snohomish county are low, You are not taxed for local improvements, roads, ete. aah are Provided with free education that fits you for making an independent living on five acres of Jan You are provided with plans for a pretty little farm home, poultry buildings, ete The buildings are erected by us for you on your land ac wording to your selected plans. You have cleared land so you can start the New Life. You have electric cars and autos for both passenger and freight service direct to Alderwood Manor from Seattle and Everett. Commutation fares on all lines. You can purchase from us your stock, ete. for equipping your farm You can purchase your feeds, ote, at wholesale pricen plus carrying charges. You can purchase your domestic supplies and have them delivered direct to your door. Fresh meat deliveries are made regularly to your door as required, Electric lighting and power is being made available to all settiers The best of schools are provided with efficient teachers. ‘The terms of payment for land and improvements are easy and spread over a long period and the interest rates are lower than usually charged. Climatically, Alderwood Manor has no superior tn the Puget Sound country. It is 400 feet above fea level, swept by the sea breezes and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, winter and summer. For berry culture Senator Paulhamus says it is “admirably adapted.” Three lakes fn the district, Good boating and fishing. A clear title to the property; no mortgaged property to contend with A district that has been proved, A. place where from half a million to three-quarters of a million dollars is spent annually in improvements, which means added value to your property, 1 Manor is a distinetive community, unique in every way; not @ district of dilapidated shacks, but bright, pretty, architecturally designed homes. When you locate at Alderwood Manor, you have the benefit of thorough organization, not only of the Puget Mill company, with all jts financial strength to carry the work on and see it through, together with the moral support and influence of a community living and being for the single pur. pose of advancing on those lines which make for success, Aldegwood Manor is not a house divided within itself, but a pomplete unity of purpose and enthusiasm, all working together for the same ends, building up a district of which every one is proud of his interest and connection, Improvement clubs, garden and musical clubs for the children, and beginning with the fall term of school there will be inaugurated classes for ,the children in horticulture and poultry raising, 80 that they in turn will take up those pursuits which mean life its very self. Alderwood Manor, the fastest.growing district in the Pacific Northwest, is no “Sleepy Hollow,” but a live, enthusiastic and prosperous community, where it is a Joy to live and an inspiration for well-betgs. Northwest Industrial Educational Bureau