Living on a Few Acres

by U.S. Department of Agriculture

This book, Living on a Few Acres, is intended as a practical guide for those who make the journey back to the countryside and for some of your who are already there. It is mainly for those who intend not to gain their principal income from the land, but rather to have a job in town or live on a pension or some other source of income.

Living on a Few Acres describes both the pitfalls and the satisfactions of country life. There are plenty of both. And there is nothing quite like country living.

Genres: Nonfiction, Survival

Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Kristin King · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huge section on choosing property and this way of life. Solid real life examples. All material somewhat dated, of course, including fact that berries are an even larger cash crop relative to investment. Chapters on berries, orchards, Christmas trees of special interest to me. Mostly scan read the rest. Nice starting point for anyone considering moving to the country, homesteading, living more self reliant.

[Ladyknightstar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chock full of useful information, I find it fascinating the Us Department of agriculture published this book knowing people were homesteading. I always like to see what the state has to say. I actually have hardcover edition.

[Alejandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the 1978 edition, compliments of Robert McClory, member of Congress. Outdated, but many things are still true.

Recommend you find newer material. does the DOA still publish these?

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good reference book. To illustrate, here from my random notes I copy some topics it covers:

CHOOSING SITE
Zoning
INSPECTIONS
BUILDING DESIGN
WELL
WINDBREAKS
WOOD AS BUILDING MATERIAL
ROADWAYS
Soil properties
WATER
- Estimated home water needs
SEPTIC SYSTEM
POWER
ORCHARD
Susceptibility of fruit crops to environmental hazards
VEGETABLE
Interplanting
Thinning of trees.
Tree pruning.
Pig raising
etc.

And here are some sample details:

Praying Mantis is not worth buying since only a few out of hundreds out of an egg case survive until fall and they are usually found in the shrub border; rarely on the more exposed vegetables where you need them. The ladybird beetles you buy disperse often for several miles in search of cultivated fields. Few, if any, remain for long in your garden.
Greenhouse heater size (BTU/hr) = (total surface area in sq ft) X (night temperature difference between inside and outside, °F) X (a heat loss factor). The heat loss factor is 0.7 for air-separated double plastic sheet and 1.2 for single layer glass, fiberglass, or plastic sheet. These figures should be increased by adding 0.3 for hobby (small) greenhouses or for windy locations.

[Rebecca Lundberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a practical guide to small-farm living.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A discussion of the various aspects of living self-suffiently on a small piece of land. Includes the home, livestock, gardening, and preserving food. A general book for a small homesteader.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some good information. Good to read if you are thinking of any sort of moving to the country. Really hits you with the problems that could occur. Good dose of reality.

[Trace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aging well.