They should set corn every man for his own particular; This had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious

The Mayflower landed in September 1620 and the first few years were difficult.  High death rates (forty-five of the one hundred and two passengers died in the first winter), delicate diplomacy with the Native Americans who were at war with one another, and adaptation of agricultural practices in new conditions were among the challenges.  

Initially, given the perils, there was much centralized decision-making as everyone worked collectively to assure the bare minimum needs.  It took a full year to build eleven houses/shelters for the surviving (and newly arrived) Pilgrims.  Planting and hunting were undertaken communally.  

However, very quickly, the Pilgrims realized that central decision-making with an equal distribution of all proceeds of efforts was not going to see them through the challenges.  In 1623, the community decided to switch from a communitarian system of production and distribution to an individualistic (based on the individual or family) approach.  

I sort of knew this but had not realized that the decision was so explicit and so early.  From Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620--1647 by William Bradford. Edited by Samuel Eliot Morison. New York: Modern Library, 1967.  Pages 120-21.  That is Governor William Bradford, 1590-1657.  The Pilgrims decided that food production could and should now be done by individuals and families for their own benefit.  Having done so, they discovered that supplies increased and became more reliable than under the communal system.  

1623

All this while no supply was heard of, neither knew they when they might expect any. So they began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop than they had done, that they might not still thus languish in misery. At length, after much debate of things, the Governor (with the advice of the chiefest amongst them) gave way that they should set corn every man for his own particular, and in that regard trust to themselves; in all other things to go on in the general way as before. And so assigned to every family a parcel of land, according to the proportion of their number, for that end, only for present use (but made no division for inheritance) and ranged all boys and youth under some family. This had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Governor or any other could use, and saved him a great deal of trouble, and gave far better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn; which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression.

The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Plato's and other ancients applauded by some of later times; that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this community (so far as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For the young men, that were most able and fit for labour and service, did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men's wives and children without any recompense. The strong, or man of parts, had no more in division of victuals and clothes than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalized in labours and victuals, clothes, etc., with the meaner and younger sort, thought it some indignity and disrespect unto them. And for men's wives to be commanded to do service for other men, as dressing their meat, washing their clothes, etc., they deemed it a kind of slavery, neither could many husbands well brook it. Upon the point all being to have alike, and all to do alike, they thought themselves in the like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut off those relations that God hath set amongst men, yet it did at least much diminish and take off the mutual respects that should be preserved amongst them. And would have been worse if they had been men of another condition. Let none object this is men's corruption, and nothing to the course itself. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in His wisdom saw another course fitter for them.

I love that William Bradford, there at the dawning of the Age of Enlightenment but on a far distant shore, scratching out a new civilization, harkens backs to 

that conceit of Plato's and other ancients applauded by some of later times; that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing.

Communism.  Fine in theory but not in practice.   It took the Pilgrims two hard years to find that communal effort was self-defeating and private property necessary for flourishing.  We have known that ever since but keep having to learn it again every few years or decades as the dream of an unburdened existence off of the labor of others always returns.  

Way out on the distant shore four hundred years ago, the Pilgrims experienced what Kipling described.

Then the Gods of the Market tumbled, and their smooth-tongued wizards withdrew

And the hearts of the meanest were humbled and began to believe it was true

That All is not Gold that Glitters, and Two and Two make Four

And the Gods of the Copybook Headings limped up to explain it once more. 

As it will be in the future, it was at the birth of Man

There are only four things certain since Social Progress began. 

That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire, 

And the burnt Fool's bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire; 

And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins

When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins, 

As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn, 

The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return!