THE MUSEUM OF FAMILY HISTORY presents

Guide to the United States
FOR
THE JEWISH IMMIGRANT

AN ABRIDGED NEARLY LITERAL TRANSLATION OF THE SECOND YIDDISH EDITION
from the 1916 book of the same name by John Foster Carr

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   LIVING IN AMERICA: THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE   |   EXHIBITION   |   NEXT ►►


THERE IS PROSPERITY AND HEALTH ON THE FARM.


The cost of food is rising in America, and so the profits of farming and gardening are constantly increasing. For many Jews here is an excellent chance of work and prosperous living.

Work in the city at good wages is often temporary, and in the cities frequently come those crises that throw men out of work. These periods of idleness quickly consume the savings you have accumulated by your labor. But by farming a poor man in a short time can often become independent., if besides some absolutely necessary experience of agriculture, he has persistence, industry and common intelligence. Country life is healthier for yourself and your family. You are protected from diseases common in the city, and, more important still, the moral health of your boys and girls will be better protected. And in the country the Jew finds an advantage of peace and happiness that are impossible in the city, because in the city it is difficult for him to observe the Sabbath as his conscience dictates; but in the country he has complete religious freedom, and in peace can worship God according to the custom of his fathers.

Thousands of Jews are succeeding here in farming and gardening. To succeed, you need to understand American farming and follow the methods that are making others successful. There are many practical opportunities of obtaining this knowledge.
 

THE AREA OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA (IN BLACK) COMPARED WITH THE AREA OF THE UNITED STATES.
The Territory of the United States Is Very Nearly Twice the Size of European Russia.

HOW TO BECOME A FARMER:-- Agricultural Schools and Colleges. For Jewish young men there is the Baron de Hirsch Agricultural School, at Woodbine, New Jersey. This is open to all able-bodied young men who have a working knowledge of English. The course is of one or two years. Board and tuition are free. There is also the National Farm School, at Farm School, Pennsylvania. The requirements of admission are nearly the same as for the Baron de Hirsch School, but the course is four years.

Besides these, every state in the United States has an Agricultural College and Experiment Station supported by the Government, and tuition is free to all residents of the state. The course is generally of four years, though there are many special courses, some as short as six weeks. For the regular course and examination is required, which is about equal to that set for the sixth class of a Gymnasium or Real Schule. For the shorter courses only a working knowledge of English is necessary and ability to profit by the instruction. There are many opportunities for graduates of such colleges in the Government service, in teaching, the management of estates, and similar positions.

THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE is probably the largest and best organized in the world. It employs thousands of scientists and experts and distributes freely pamphlets and bulletins containing information on every branch of agriculture. Every state also has a department doing similar work.

Of the greatest use to Jewish farmers and Jews who wish to become farmers is the Jewish Agricultural And Industrial Aid Society, at 174 Second Avenue, New York City. It is a foundation of the Baron de Hirsch Fund. It publishes "The Jewish Farmer", an illustrated monthly magazine in Yiddish, for those who, knowing no English, cannot read the government agricultural publications. It has travelling instructors who lecture to farmers, organize them into associations and advise them as to their work. It also has free scholarships given children of Jewish farmers for the winter term of agricultural colleges, when their work can best be spared at home.

This Society through its free Farm Labor Bureau finds positions for those who wish to work on farms. Some are placed with Jewish farmers. This enables men of ability to learn American farming methods, learn English and quickly become Americans. Many who seek positions as farm hands have more or less capital of their own, and their only purpose in seeking such work is to gain the necessary knowledge before embarking on their own account. For the Jew wishing to become a farmer, there is no better way of finding out if he is fitted for agriculture. Such positions are easiest obtained for single men.

Besides such practical educational work, this Society assists Jewish immigrants to become farmers in other ways. It gives free advice. It helps find suitable farms. It assists Jewish farming communities to organize for their material, social and religious improvement, and has helped in the organization of the Federation of Jewish Farmers of America.

This Federation has 56 local associations, 19 of which have co-operative credit unions, which are similar to the European credit banks. The Federation also conducts a co-operative purchasing bureau, and organizes co-operative undertakings.

Jewish immigrants are urged to consult this Society before buying a farm. If at a distance, hey may write in any language.

SPECIAL ADVICE TO THOSE WHO WISH TO BECOME FARMERS.  Fertile land is cheap in the United States, often as cheap as $35 an acre. Some men start with nothing and make wonderful progress. But not every Jew is a farmer, and some start with a good capital and lose it all. Never buy a farm in a hurry. Never buy a farm unless you have capital enough to keep you the entire year.

Don't buy a farm or pay a deposit on a farm, unless you are sure of its value. Conditions of climate and soil differ greatly in this country. Ask responsible and experienced farmers nearby. Find out how the last owner prospered. Ten acres of good land are better than a hundred of poor land. The building must be good, the roads good, the railroad station and market near. There must be good schools for your children. Beware of farm agents.

Don't buy a farm unless you will have money enough left for live stock, tools, working capital and living expenses. Don't forget interest, taxes, insurance.

Don't buy a farm with a large mortgage. Have nothing to do with a "standing mortgage". Unless a mortgage provides for a definite time of repayment, it is payable on demand. Have your mortgages payable in small annual installments, or after a period of five years.

Don't buy a farm without consulting a responsible lawyer. Let him make the contract and search the title. His fee will save money and worry.

After you have bought your farm, insure your building in a good company. And don't forget to notify the insurance agent of any alterations in your buildings, or any changes in your mortgage.

After the farm is bought, general farming is safest for a beginning. Until you have experience, it is dangerous to plant special crops, or to attempt poultry raising, on a large scale.
 

SOME NOTES ON JEWS IN AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

Jews now have successful market gardens, farms and agricultural colonies scattered all over the land. These have nearly all the conveniences and luxuries of our civilization. They have daily postal service, telegraphs and telephones, synagogues and schools. They have fifty Farmers' Organizations. Some of their successes have been remarkable, but it must be remembered that every remarkable success is the result of remarkable work, with arms of iron and wills of steel.

There are over 6,000 Jewish farming families in the United States, probably comprising 50,000 souls. They are to be found in nearly every state in the Union, but the vast majority of them are in the states of the Eastern seaboard, chiefly in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We add a list of the principal farming colonies in these states, with the names of their associations. If you think that you would like to join one of these colonies, write for information and advice to the Jewish Agricultural and Industrial Aid Society, 174 Second Avenue, New York City.
 

NEW YORK.

 

Group

 

No. Farmers

 

Associations.

Centreville,   80   Jewish Farmers' Association of Centreville Station.
Ellenville,   80   Hebrew Farmers' Association of Ellenville.
Ferndale,   78   Hebrew Farmers' Association of Ferndale and Stevensville.
Greenfield,   75   Hebrew Aid Society of Briggs Street.
Hurleyville,   60   Hebrew Farmers' Association of Fallsburg and Hurleyville.
Kerhonkson,   40   Hebrew Farmers' Association of Kerhonkson and Accord.
Livingston Manor,   20   Livingston Manor Jewish Farmer's Association.
Monticello, Mountaindale,   60   Jewish Farmers' Association of Mountaindale.
Nassau,   70   Hebrew Benevolent Farmers' Association of Rensselaer Co.
New Lots,   25   New Lots Dairymen's Association.
Parksville,   50   Parksville Jewish Farmers' Association
Spring Glen,   18   Spring Glen Hebrew Aid Society.
Syracuse,   20   Jewish Farmers' Association of Manlius.

 

NEW JERSEY.

 

Group

 

No. Farmers

 

Associations.

Alliance,   129   Norma and Alliance Farmers' Association.
Carmel,   84   Cumberland County Jewish Farmers' Association.
Flemington,   48   Flemington Jewish Farmers' Circle.
Highstown,   50   First United Hebrew Farmers' Association of Highstown.
Jamesburg,   56   Jamesburg Hebrew Farmers' Association.
Kinkora,   12   Kinkora Jewish Farmers' Association.
Lakewood,   16   Lakewood Jewish Farmers' Association.
Newark,   30   Irvington Jewish Farmers' Association.
New Brunswick,   32   Jewish Farmers' Association of Middlesex County.
Perrineville,   60   Perrinevillle Jewish Farmers' Association.
Pine Brook,   33   Jewish Farmers' Association of Pine Brook.
Rosenhayn,   106   Rosenhayn Jewish Farmers' Association.
Woodbine,   37   Cape May County Jewish Farmers' Association.

 

CONNECTICUT.

 

Group

 

No. Farmers

 

Associations.

Chesterfield,   32   Independent Hebrew Farmers' Association.
Colchester,   147   Colchester Jewish Farmers' Association.
Cornwall Bridge,   24   Cornwall Bridge Jewish Farmers' Association.
Ellington,   40   Connecticut Jewish Farmers' Association of Ellington.
Hebron,   25   Hebrew Farmers' Association of Turnerville.
Lebanon,   24   Lebanon Jewish Farmers' Association.
New Haven,   25   New Haven Jewish Farmers' Association.
North Canton,   13   North Canton Jewish Farmers' Association.
Norwich,   55   Norwich Jewish Farmers' Association.
Oakdale,   65   Raymond Hill Jewish Farmers' Association.
Rocky Hill,   12   Rocky Hill Jewish Farmers' Association.
Stepney,   66   Jewish Farmers' Association of Fairfield County.
Storrs,   15   Storrs Jewish Farmers' Association.
Vernon,   15   Vernon Jewish Farmers' Association.
Willimantic,   40   Willimantic Jewish Farmers' Association.
Yantic,   55   Yantic Jewish Farmers' Association.

 

Group

 

No. Farmers

 

Associations.

 
MASSACHUSETTS.
 
Attleboro and Taunton,   60   Bristol County Jewish Farmers' Association.
Great Barrington,   50   Berkshire County Jewish Farmers' Association.
Medway,   57    
 
DELAWARE.
 

Dover,

  18  

First Jewish Farmers' Association of Delaware.

 
PENNSYLVANIA.
 
Carversville,   20   Bucks County Jewish Farmers' Association.
Montgomery County,   34    
 
OHIO.
 
Cincinnati,   31    
Cleveland,   51    
 
INDIANA.
 
Knox,  

15

  Knox Jewish Farmers' Association.
 
MICHIGAN.
 

Benton Harbor,

  43    
 
NEBRASKA.
 
Cherry County,  

19

  Cherry County Jewish Farmers' Association.
 
NORTH DAKOTA.
 
Ashley,   12   Sulzberger Colony of Jewish Farmers.
Bowman,   15   Northwestern Jewish Farmers' Association.
Wilton,   12   Hebrew Farmers' Association of Burleigh County.
 
WASHINGTON.
 
Lake Bay,  

14

  Jewish Farmers' Association of State of Washington.
 
WYOMING.
 
Iowa Center,   20    
Torrington,   18   Jewish Farmers' Association of Goshen County.

 

 

 


 



 

 


 











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