Chapter I: Preface

Strong in my convictions that all civilizations are false, which do not civilize the lowest units of any social order, I have written Solaris Farm as my contribution towards the improvement of agriculturists as a class, of the race as a whole; towards the establishment of a truer civilization, organized for the purpose of securing the same degree of progress for the lowest orders of humanity, which have been or can be attained by the highest. In any social or political fabric, wide differences of wealth, of education, of refinement in its sub-divisions are dangerous, they swiftly lead to the introduction of caste. Caste is the dry rot, which, when once established, will surely destroy all progress, all vitality, by slowly eating away the social, industrial and political life of the nation.

In preparing this book for the press, I wish to acknowledge my obligations to the following authors, for much valuable information and inspiration: To Elmer Gates, the discoverer of new domains in Psychology, the inventor and discoverer of the art of Mentation, the founder of the Elmer Gates Laboratory, at Chevy Chase, Maryland: To Henry George, the author of "Progress and Poverty:" To Edward Bellamy, the author of "Equality," and "Looking Backward:" And lastly to that greatest of living Frenchmen, M. Godin, the author of "Social Solutions," and the founder of the "Familistere," with its famous industrial enterprise, located at the city of Guise, France; the grandest co-operative success of the age!

A last word to my readers: Do you wish to join forces with the humanitarians? If so, always strive so to educate the people, that they may fully understand the true object and purpose of human life; and the necessity for the upbuilding of social, industrial and political institutions, in harmony with the demands of that purpose. This will require unselfish, persistent, co-operative effort and thought. In no other way, can you so greatly aid the cause of progress.

MILAN C. EDSON.

No. 1728 N. J. Ave., N. W.

WASHINGTON, D. C., SEPT. 1ST, 1900.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PAGE

1. A FARMER'S SON WITH PROGRESSIVE TENDENCIES 1

2. THE OUTLINES OF A GREAT PROBLEM 4

3. AN ADVERTISEMENT INTRODUCES THE HEROINE 9

4. THE STORY OF A STONE AND WHAT CAME AFTER 10

5. FAIRY FERN COTTAGE 27

6. FENNIMORE FENWICK 34

7. AN ALASKA KINDERGARTEN 37

8. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE "FAIRIES." 41

9. THE PROBLEM VS. A GOOD MAN WHO IS AS RICH AS
HE IS NOBLE 49

10. THE REAPING OF THE DEATH ANGEL 53

11. THE MARTINA MINE 58

12. SPIRIT AND MORTAL--FATHER AND DAUGHTER 61

13. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 63

14. THE ETHICS OF PLANETARY EVOLUTION 71

15. THE CO-OPERATIVE FARM AS A FACTOR IN SOCIAL EVOLUTION 75

16. FILLMORE AND FERN 87

17. SOLARIS FARM 93

18. CLUB LIFE AT SOLARIS 112

19. FENWICK HALL 121

20. THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA 133

21. HIS WOOING PROSPERS WHILE OUR HERO ENJOYS HIS
FIRST VACATION 141

22. A SURPRISE PARTY AND RECEPTION COMBINED 150

23. FORMATION OF POPULAR SCIENCE CLUBS 160

24. A TWENTIETH CENTURY LOVE LETTER 162

25. THE REPLY 171

26. FERN FENWICK ARRIVES AT SOLARIS 179

27. THE FESTIVAL 185

28. THE ORATION 187

29. THE STORY OF GILBERT GERRISH; OR, THE STRENGTH OF
THE WEAKEST UNIT 216

30. OUR HERO AND HEROINE DISCUSS AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS 227

31. THE DISCUSSION GROWS MORE INTERESTING 248

32. SOCIAL SOLUTIONS 256

33. SOLARIS SCRIP 270

34. THE INSURANCE OFFERED BY CO-OPERATIVE FARMING 273

35. THE MOTHERS' CLUB 287

36. THE CO-OPERATIVE FARM AS A FACTOR IN THE CAPITAL
AND LABOR PROBLEM 299

37. THE CO-OPERATIVE FARM TRIUMPHANT 313

38. THE KINDERGARTEN AT SOLARIS 327

39. AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR 346

40. THE COMING ERA OF GOOD ROADS 362

41. CO-OPERATIVE ETHICS 371

42. RURAL LIFE UNDER THE REIGN OF CO-OPERATION 387

43. A TWENTIETH CENTURY HONEYMOON 416

44. THE NEW CRUSADE 423

SOLARIS FARM.

A STORY OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY.