We have already discussed the twenty-five acre farm, representing the largest probable unit for such an enterprise.  We will now discuss the five acre farm which represents the smallest probable unit.

On the five-acre farm a considerable difference of methods will be necessary.  In the first place, it is to be a horseless farm.  All hauling and plowing must be attended to by the central company, or the same results could be obtained by a team owned in common by a small group, say of six farmers, each of whom is to use the team one day of the week.

A single isolated farmer in a community of farms or market gardeners, could hire a team by the day as he needed it.  I do not recommend this scheme, however, but would suggest that the single individual get a larger plot of ground, at least ten acres, and a team of his own.  In the co-operative community the five-acre teamless farm is entirely feasible.

The tract should be surveyed about twice as long as wide, which, for five acres, makes it 20 by 40 rods, or 330 by 660 feet.  Measure off a strip one hundred feet back from the road.  Fence the remainder of the tract.  Now run a partition fence down the center until we have come to within twelve rods of the back side.  Here run a cross fence.  This gives us three yards of about one and one-half acres each.  The gates are arranged so that one passes through the three yards in a single trip.

Where the middle partition fence adjoins the front fence, a well is driven.  A water line is run down the partition fence to the rear yard.

The plot around the house is set in permanent crops, such as berries, fruit trees, asparagus, rhubarb, etc.  Of the other three yards, at least one is kept in growing marketable crops.  Every inch is cultivated, and crops of the leafy nature, as lettuce, cabbage, kale and spinach, are chiefly grown, as they utilize the rich nitrogenous poultry manure to the best advantage, and the waste portions, or worthless crops, are utilized for the poultry.  The method of supplying the fowls with green food is entirely by soiling.  This means to grow the food in an adjoining lot and throw it over the fence.  The above mentioned crops are all good for the purpose.  Rape, which is not grown for human food, is also excellent.

Kale is one of the very best crops for soiling purposes.  It is planted in the fall and fed by pulling off the lower leaves during the winter.  In the spring the hardened stalks stand at a considerable height and the field may be used for growing young chicks, giving shade, and at the same time producing abundant green feed, without any immediate labor, which means a great saving in the busy season.