Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-08-19
A0ritl1ltmrat department.
To Boom Vermont.

Hon. A. B. Valentine, commissioner of
agricultural and manufacturing interests
has addressed the following letter to the
| listers of the various towns in the State.
| The letter explains itself:
conference.-the gradual decrease of
! cultivated acres in many towns of our
| Commonwealth, and the consequent de-
crease of population in those towns, has
attracted the attention of thoughtful men.
The discussion of the possibility of check
ing the outflow of our young men and
women, and the re-populating of the lands
thus left without tenants, has eliminated
in the establishment of commission by
the last Legislature, and a copy of the
act establishing the commission here
with enclosed.
Provision is made in the act for certain
experimental action, looking towards the
bringing of the agricultural advantages
of the State to the knowledge of the peo-
pie of other States or countries, and in
ducing them to purchase unoccupied,
abandoned, or other lands, for the pur-
poses of cultivation.
This communication is addressed to you
because you, in your official capacity as
town lister, have reported certain lands,
once cultivated, but now turned into pas
ture or growing up to forest. and practi-
cally abandoned for farm purposes.
In this communication, the commission
er wishes it understood that he is not
committed to any fixed plan of action, for
he is not yet fully persuaded that any
practicable means can be devised to ac-
complish the end sought. The object of
this paper is rather reaching out for in
formation, from which to decide whether
to attempt to follow the line of action
herein brought to your attention or to
abandon the only practicable remedy
which has thus far suggested itself.
The successful establishment of colon
les of Swedes on unoccupied lands in the
State of Maine, and the success of corpo-
rations at the West, in the colonization
of railroad lands with citizens of the same
nationality, has led the commissioner to
think it possible to divert this class of
desirable inhabitants to our own State.
It is true that the State of Maine and
the railroad companies owned the lands.
Did the State of Vermont own the 100000
acres of land reported now abandoned
for farming purposes, but formerly under
cultivation, and much of which is capable
of as successful cultivation as the pros
porous surrounding farms, the problem
could be easily solved. Yet, even now, it
does not seem impossible to accomplish
much through this bureau, following the
lead OF the State and corporations men
toned. The commissioner has lately
conferred with a prominent Swede of Ne
braska, who has brought over number
of colonies of his countrymen, to settle
on railroad lands in that State. If facts
seem to warrant it, the commissioner
purposes to take the gentleman mention
toned over parts OF our State where are
reported large tracts of land suitable for
cultivation, and which can be secured at
a low price He is practical farmer and
a thorough Judge of the wants of his
countrymen; possesses and has earned
their confidence to the fullest extent, and
would not recommend their settlement in
our State unless it is clear that they could
become prosperous tillers of the soil.
Our State presents many of the climatic
characteristics of the Scandinavian coun-
tries, resembling them also in surface and
soil, and no better immigrants than the
Swedes ever set foot on American soil;
orderly, peaceful, Industrious, frugal and
thrifty. In the West wherever you find
colonies of this nationality you find a
prosperous community, and if our State
could secure like inhabitants to fill our
waste places, we should be fortunate in |
deed.
In the State of Maine a town is called |
New Sweden, and, long ago the lands
were paid for and all the help the State
repaid with interest.
The Swedish gentleman before referred |
to proposes, if examination of our lands |
will warrant it, to bring over colony of |
so families, they paying for their own
passage Many of them would require |
time extending from three to five years,
in which to pay for their land. Also tenn |
porary shelter for the families would |
would have to be provided before their |
arrival. If necessary, the commissioner |
might feel justified in lending part of |
the appropriation at his command for the |
of immediate necessities.
Of course, it would be folly to try to |
induce desirable immigrants to settle on
worthless lands Also, the price of the |
lands must approximate the price of the
wild lands of the West, and in no case to
exceed five dollars an acre. Some listers
have reported good lands to be bought at
three dollars.
This work must be, to q large extent, |
a labor of patriotism and State pride, for
there can be no intermediate commission
or profits all advantages must be given
to the immigrants alone, though you can
see the benefits of such a settlement;
benefits far-reaching to the towns as
such, as we'll as to property in the vicin-
ity of such a colony. These immigrants,
if they come at all, will not come to glut
the labor market, but as farmers, to till
the soil, and add to the real wealth of
Vermont.
1t is desirable that lands contiguous
and of sufficient extent to supply the
whole colony should be secured. Ac-
cording to reports received, there are
four sections of the State answering the
in this particular, though
occupying parts of more than
one town.
If you think the unoccupied lands in
your vicinity suitable for the purpose
and desire that your town
should secure the benefits of such set
element, the commissioner would be glad
to correspond with you and your select
men, or others interested.
The following information is essential:
l. How many contiguous acres could
probably be secured in your town and
adjoining towns?
2. At what price do you think the
land could be bought?
3. Information as to quality of land,
It's Improvements, location?
4. Conditions being satisfactory,
could bonds for deeds be secured, and
would you, or person or persons select