Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-09-26


more than as many barns and out
houses. These farms were all contig-
uous, and as many others were hid from
sight by maple groves, and in the val
ley of branch of the West River. a
tract of more than four square miles
was here spread out, fenced, and with
dwelling houses and barns, without a
single inhabitant.
Nor is this all. Off to the east.
through Windsor and Windham coun-
ties, nearly to the Connecticut river,
lies farm after farm, unoccupied and a.
bandoned. In Peru and Landgrove, to
the west and south the same condition
prevails.
1t cannot now be said how many
farms there are in Vermont, with emp
ty buildings, but it is safe to say that
they will number thousands, ,and there
are other thousands with buildings
gone, and cellar holes marking their
sites.
The cause of this is now under dis
cussion we are simply stating facts.
Our State has natural advantages in
its marble, granite and slate quarries,
in its iron and other minerals, in its
forests, water power, and manufacto-
ries, in its rich soil and sweet pastures,
ready, as in the past, to produce abun-
dance of grain and vegetables, the best
of butter, and the feetest of horses.
The reverse side is not confined to
Vermont, but is shared by her sister
States of the East, and should not dis
courage us in our expectation Of the
bright future, ior we believe that her
waste places areto be occupied, and her
old prestige US an agricultural state is
to be restored.
Whether this is Il the near or re-
mote future, depends upon our citizens.
1t is believed by the observing that
Vermont's days of rapid development
are near at hand, but, to ignore the
fact of farms abandoned, is but to de-
lay the day Of their re-population.
1t is matter of surprise that citi-
zens of supposed intelligence should, in
the face Of facts lately published, deny
that there are abandoned farms in Yer
mont. A mistake is made in thus
doubling the intelligence of our people.
If such gentlemen do not know of the
facts, modesty should dictate reserve
in making positive assertions, even at
the risk Of losing passing cheer.
Within seven miles ofthe hourishine
village of Brattleboro, commences an
area Of abandoned" farms. and the
view from the elevation looking into
Mt. Tabor, can be duplicated MANY
times in Wndham county. Marlboro,
Halifax, Newfane, Guilford, Wards
boro, Townsend, Jamaica and, indeed.
almost every town in Windham eoun-
ty, reports numerous abandoned
farms, and lands unoccupied, produc-
tive lands too, which can be bought
for So to S5 per acre. Ii is safe to
say that these farms and lands repre-
sent more than 10000 acres in Wind
ham county alone, and when we con-
slider that Other counties report equal
and greater amounts, the aggregate
is simply astonishing. 1t is frankly
admitted that there was no conception
of the state Of things which investiga-
tion has disclosed. There is believed
to be remedy, and the sooner the
facts are looked candidly in the face,
the sooner will the remedy be found.
From the first, the aid Of the press
was expected, and it has been gener-
ously given. The press of this, and
other States has treated tho subject
with great candor, and in manner to
advance the interests Of our Eastern
States. Criticisms have been valuable,
and concentrations gratifying. The
first we invite. and the last we are
thankful for, not personally, but as
representing a bureau which we hope
will be the means of accomplishing
j.