Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-11-14
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convincingly show that people are be
ginning TO realize the overcrowed con-
dition of trade and the mechanical call
ings, and are turning back to the coun-
try and the farms from which they
came. The reports of the sales Of farms
in different parts Of New England are
satisfactory proof of the change which
is taking place. In the city and IL
neighborhood, it i pretty well asccr
tanned that the bottom has been reached.
and that the next movement must be an
upwardone. But if the prospect of city
property has not yet frightened up very
much, the facts respecting farm property
both near by and in remote quarters are
encouraging in striking degree. The
statement has been made that tie actual
sales OF farm property in this market
during the past six months have been
more than double what they were for
the corresponding six months of last
year.
Most of this form Of property which
has changed hands lies within thirty
miles OF the city. although portions Of il
are very much more remote. These
farms have generally been bought for
investment merely. They are to be i'm
proved by their owners. and averaged
in price from eight aud nine hundred
dollars up TO five thousand. The larger
number OF the purchasers were residents
OF Boston. either bushes men or me
chanics, but few Of whom have been
reported As failed 1t i evident tina.
there is nothing so sure and enduring
as farm, and they have proceeded to
prove their faith by their works. Be
sides the sales above spoken of there
have been large sale, of what are known
as abandoned farms. in New Hamp-
shire. which have been readily taken up
by laborers aud foreigners who have
had enough of the hard times in the
CITY.
The men who bought these aban-
doued farms have worked hard when
work was 10 be had, and laid by money
for the future; but having seen the slow
wasting OF their savings in consequence
OF an enforced idleness concluded to stop
it where it is and provide with what i.
left permanent home and an opportu-
nifty TO produce and save again. That
is genuine thrift. and it is based on the
right principles. Then, again. numbers
oipeople have come back from the West.
where they have been looking around.
and they find that naturally good soil
Is not all there is TO be considered.
They have discovered that good crops
do not necessarily bring all the comforts
with them. There are compeLsatioms
for more sterile soil here in New Eng
land which may be looked for in vain in
the West. Markets are remote out
there. Villages do not nestle under
every hill as they do here. Civilization.
say what they will, is not so far adj
vanced there as here; and neighborhood
is an entirely different thing.
An immense crop of corn is not worth
raising 10 burn for fuel. Those who
have been to the West, many of them.
see just as it is, and come back to New
England glad to purchase home, how
ever small and settle down in peace and
security among their native hills. They
realize that happiness consists in some
thing besides a prairie patch and lot
OF wheat and corn for others to make
the profits on. In reference TO large
proportion of the farms recently sold i,
is to be said that no more is paid than
was asked five years ago; SO that if a
man who now moves out upon farm.
after having been squeezed and rubbed
through the hard times had bought bis
farm five years ago, he would have had
so much the start and got rid of an ex.
perience that has worn and torn him so
sorely. Farms everywhere are tempt
ingly low at the present time. and it is
this that induces so many people to turn
their faces toward the country --Nass.
Ptoughman.