Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-04
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH,

ESPECIAL TKLEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.I
WASHINGTON, May 3.-The discussion
regarding the mortgage-laden farms OF the
West calls attention to the vast extent oi
waste lands in New England. In New
Hampshire, by actual count, there are 100
deserted farms, and in Vermont thousands
of acres OF upoccupie6 tillable land, con-
tanning fine homes and situated near rail-
roads, churches and schools, are offered for
sale at prices fully as cheap as the almost
inaccessible lands of the West.
In this article aim to give some idea OF
the extent and character of these New En-
gland farms. have interviewed some OF
the leading Senators of these States at
Washington, and have corresponded regard
ing them with the agricultural boards of the
respective districts at their State capitals,
and find the story an interesting one.
New England is virtually wrapped up in
it. Vermont and New Hampshire have
organized bureaus of immigration, and the
matter has been discussed in the Legisla-
lures of the other States.
NEW HAMPSHIRE FARMS FOR A SONG. Z
The Hon. N. j. Bachelor the Commits
sioner of immigration for New Hampshire,
writes me that the abandoned farms of his
State vary in size from to 500 acres, and
that they can be purchased at prices ranging
from 5000 to S., 900 apiece. These farms, he
writes, have not been abandoned because
the soil has become exhausted, and in most
instances they will fully average with the
occupied farms. They are located in all
sections of the State, and many OF them
have lately been made more desirable by
the building of new railroads, which are
continually being extended in various di-
rections The price of these farms in many
instances is less than the value of the
buildings upon them. and they will be sold
for little more than the land would be worth
without buildings, for pasturage or for the
growth of wood and lumber. There are to-
day many thousands OF cords of wood stand
ing upon such farms which would afford the
winters in marketing if he desired.
They will afford superior advantages to
young, thrifty, energetic men with small
means who desire to follow farming for a
livelihood. The buildings upon them are
ready for occupancy, the soil will literally
respond to good husbandry, the climate is
the educational advantages
excellent and the home market made BY our
600 summer hotels, accommodating $4,000
or 40, 900 people, and by our scores of man
cities and villages, is not ex-
celled anywhere.
LAND OF COUNTRY HOMES.
"The tide OF emigration from New Hamp-
shire" continues Mr.. Bachelor, ''has al
ready been checked and during the next ten
years we expect to see 70 per cent. of the
now vacant farms Of New Hampshire oc-
cupied. They will not all be held by farm
ers. New Hampshire has become within
the past few years noted summer resort for
wealthy people, and there are many of
smaller competency who annually spend
few weeks among our granite hills Many
IF this class are purchasing such farms and
spending much or little upon them. as their
wealth and inclinations dictate, feeling
more satisfaction and liberty than in our
summer hotels and boarding houses.
There are in the cities and villages Of the
country large number of people who have
occurred q competency and who desire to be
'elieved from the continuous and exacting
demands of business life. These people !
Tant to pass the remainder of their lives in
luiet, independent country life, and from
hese we are getting many inquiries and |
ome purchasers. As to our farmers them |
elves, they are more satisfied to-day than |
ver before. Our farms are more in
diligently cultivated, and such people as
ome to New Hampshire will find live |
.gricultural community interested in the |
districts in which they live.
SENATOR BLAIR BooMs HIS STATE.
Senator Blair CLOVIS even more over the |
gricultural beauties of New Hampshire |
han he does over his educational bill, and |
lie says that the New Hampshire farms are
asst being taken up by rich New Yorkers
vho have large business interests in the
metropolis and who want good places in
which to rest. Said he:
"The wear and tear of money making has
made the summer vacation an absolute
necessity to the capitalist, and these farms
4 New Hampshire will add ten years to
he life of any man who buys one The
ands can be had for from S. to $40 per
ere, including the improvements, and the
Iwellings upon them are comfortable and
he varieties of forest trees which surround
hem are unsurpassed. There is no more
eautiful scenery in the world than in the
Tew Hampshire mountains, and you
reathe champagne with every inhalatlon
+ mountain air. I own one Of these farms
nyself, and think they make the pleas
ntest homes in the United States"
The Hon. A. B. Valentine, the Commits
ioner of immigration for the State of Yer
lont, writes me that the statistical in norma
ion concerning the deserted farms of this
tate is comparatively meager, but he gives
lie letters describing the condition of the
arming population in the various parts of
be State. A letter from the town of Read
1g, in Windsor county, states tina. 1000
cres can be purchased in that town alone.
nd that one-half of this is made up OF farms
from 20 to 200 acres in size.
OPPORTUNITIES IN VERMONT.
Many of these farms have buildings and
ley can be bought with the improvements
om So to 81 per acre. The remaining half
the 1000 acres was formerly made up of
bod farms, which were deserted long ago,
nd which are now growing up in timber.
he fences are not kept up, the buildings
ave fallen into decay and old cellar holes,
ray chimneys and miles of stone walls are
/ that testify to the former cultivation of
ese lands. They are, however, capable OF
lltivatIon, and can be bought from 81 to
per acre. In Essex county there are
ore than f25, 900 acres which are in unoc-
lpied contiguous lands which are, or soon /.
ill be, open for settlement. These lands.
e Essex county Herald states, will make ,
,od productive farms. They are we'll
altered, have timber for home consumpsion +.
I'd want nothing but energy, bone and
uscIe to clear them up.
My advices from Connecticut are that
ere are few vacant farms in that State.
,nator Hawley says that the best land is in