pendent caste of farm laborers: That the isolated
life and the severe toil of the small farm, has a dangerously depressing
effect on the minds of its people: That all of these things, seem to
demand the changes suggested by the contents of this book.

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