Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1890-03-28
AGRICULTURAL.


Rev Hnmp-hire'- Abnudoned Farms.
The state of New Hampshire has taken
hold with vigor and method Of the work OF
repepulatng its deserted farms aud Of re-
viving the interests Of its rural population.
Hon. N. J. Batchelder, the commissioner of
agriculture and immigration, under a law
similar to the Vermont law, has gone about
his work in different way from Commits
sioner Valentine, but one which is no less
earnest and effective. One Of its first re.
suits is pamphlet of 100 pages which
bears upon its cover the profile Of the "Old
Man of the Mountain, and the admonition
TO Secure a home in New Hampshire,
where comfort, health and prosperity
abound" The pamphlet opens with de-
scription Of the general features OF the
soil, climate and topography Of the state,
and with facts as to the general prosperity
of the New Hampshire people as shown by
the large number Of depositors in the saw
ings banks, and the total and average
amount of the deposits. One strictly farm
ing town is mentioned which has on depos-
it in the savings bank S2l2 for each person
living in the town, besides stocks, bonds
and western investments.
Proceeding to the subject of abandoned
farms, the commissioner says that many OF
these farms are more desirable now than
when they were vacated because of the
the extension of railroads, the establish
ment of creameries and the growth of the
summer boarding business. Many of these
farms have excellent soil, large and com
Portable buildings, good fences, and other
permanent improvements The reasons for
their abandonment are the death of the
former occupants, leaving no children, or
the fact that the children left the farms to
find employment in village or city. In 9th
err cases the owner accumulated property
enough so that he went away and engaged
in other business. Occasionally farm has
been vacated because of the extravaganza
habits of its owner. These, the commits
sioner says, are the leading reasons, and
the reasons are always traceable to some
other source than the inferiority of the soil.
City dwellers are reminded that many OF
these farms embrace broad acreage and
large roomy buildings which can be put in
shape for summer use at little cost, and
that they can be bought for a less price
than many man pays for having his fam
ily crowded into hotel for single season
"a statement which we have no doubt is
strictly true
The commissioner says that 1442 vacant
farms with tenantable buildings have been
reported to him by the selectmen of the va
rious towns Grafton county has the larg-
est number, 265, and Coos the smallest, 20.
In our neighboring county of Cheshire
there 2l1. Following this general state
ment, 65 pages are devoted to a description
of farms in the various towns, their size,
characteristics buildings, farming conven-
fences, price and the name of some person
who may be addressed being given.
Twelve Cheshire county towns report such
farms, four in Walpole and three in West
moreland being described. A list of some
thing like 1000 hotels and summer board
ing houses is given, with the location and
names of owners, and also list of the 32
creameries in the state. An excellent map
of the state accompanies the pamphlet, and
it is difficult to see how a better bit of ad
vertising of the states neglected farming
opportunities could have been devised.