Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-12-11
Abnnaoned I-nrm. In NIns.nchuse,ls

Abandoned Farms In Mnssnchusetts.
The descriptive catalogue Of abandoned
or partially abandoned farms in Massachu-
sets. authorized to be published by the last
legislature, has made its appearance. Its
publication is direct result Of the effort
made by Commissioner Valentine of Yer
mont, followed 10y the same kind Of work
in New Hampshire, to call attention to
the abandoned farms of the state and to in
duce settlers from abroad or from other
states to occupy them. The Massachusetts
legislature of 1891 enacted a law providing
for the collection of information ON this
subject. and i'm due time the executive com
mittcc of the state board of agriculture
instructed the secretary to gather up, for
mulate and publish all obtainablc intorma-
ton. Information was first sought from
the assessors of the several cities and
towns, from which it appeared that the
greatest number of abandoned farms was
in Worcester county. 249; Berkshire, 40;
Franklin, 1903; Hampshire, So; lIampden,
-. The other counties varied from 81 in
MiddleseN down to a cipher in Suffolk
Boston). experimenting the returns oh
tanned from the assessors circulars were
sent to the owners of the farms. asking
for detailed information. \ record was a.
nally obtained of gOG abandoned farms.
but from the slow way ina which the facts
were gained ia many cases tine board of az
ricuturc believes that. either the condition
I..t ,.i. g.. l.t.l
"a, has been represented. or that the farm
ing property heretofore considered undo
srabr /, increasing i'm value, or an increase
is expected in the near future. The latter
/, probably the case.
The report shows, i'm general way, that
abandoned farm land i'm Massachusetts is
principally confined to the western coun-
ties. The average size of abandoned farms
with buildings is 80 acre, and for those
without buildings - acres. The average
value OF abandoned farms with buildings
is SS94. and for those without buildings
SjGl. The average value of buildings ON
abandoned farms J., s:'j7 per farm. ranging
much les, than the average value of build
inc, upon farms under cultivation. Much
of the abandoned land may hc bought for
less than SO per acre.
Under the head of Causes for Abau-
doumeut of Farms. the report says:
There is strange fascination In city
life which has always existed. and which
leads many who are under its spell TO pre-
fer poverty and priNation in the city 90 i'm
dependence and comfort ia the country
This fascination is intensified by the un-
doubted benefits which the modern city
offers To those with nor near it.. And
Vet it must be admitted that the prom
Use which leads to the abandonment OF
country life is frequently untulhllcd. The
movement from the country toward the
city may affect, indeed has affected. the
labor market in two ways; II may lead To
dearth of agricultural labor in the depleted
districts thus adding To the burdens. which
i'm too many cases the farmer already bears,
and it may intensity the competition to
which the city laborer is subjected. both as
to employment and as to wages. This
competition reacts upon those who come
to the city for the purpose of improving
their fortunes only to find the opportun-
ties open to them constantly growing less.
son the other hand, the life of the
farmer. Notwithstanding its burdens, was
never so easy in many respects as at pres
ent The farms of New England have in
the past nurturcd strong and brave men,
but it was not because OF any special favor
able economic conditions. II was the New
England character, the New England
home life the New England respect for the
church and school, which, frequently in
/ the face OF adverse circumstances. develop
/ ed the New England citizen. 1t could be
easily shown that the hardships and pow
ertv among farmers in the early part of
/ the century were much greater than they
are today The Improvements due To mod
ern invention have lightened farm labor,
while the railroad. the telegraph and the
press have brought the most retired farms
into communication with the activities of
the age. The farmer may not bc able to
amass wealth, nor can the majority of
those i'm cities hope to do so. He is gener-
ally sure OF a comfortable living aS the re-
ward of his toll and the contingencies
that affect his employment are usually no
greater than those affecting employment
in cities. II opportunities for large profit
are not opened to him, ne is relieved from
the risk incidental to such opportunities.
That some OF the burdens under which lac
suffers might bee and ought 10 be- removed
is undeniablr: but there are those in the
city. working for low wages, iiabl" 10 peri
odical unemployment, to whom life upon
the abandoned farms would offer an agree
able change: only they must first be con
WINGED that such a change is desirable
lie said lie Wasn't Hungry. hut This