The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-04
1860 Acres OF
Land
BOUGHT BY STATE
Templeton Farms to Form
Part of State Institution.

Baldwinville, Jan. 3.--One of the
largest real estate deals ever made in
this vicinity has just been completed.
Sixteen hundred and sixty acres of
land have been purchased by the state
and the transaction has been duly
recorded in the registry of deeds office
in Worcester.
The recent acquisition on the part of
the state will be used as an annex to
the school for Predetermined in Wal
than. Upon the property will be
placed the adult inmates of the home
who are able to take care of them
selves. These are expected to develop
the rocky, barren acres and make more
fertile those already under cultivation.
The purchase of such land for such
purpose has long been a cherished
ioea with Superintendent w. e. Fer
maid, but not until last year did he
see any prospect to have his hopes real
lied. The legislature last year appro-
priated $4,000 for the purchase of
land, under the direction of the trus-
tees. Several locations were viewed
and the trustees unanimously declared
in favor of the Baldwinville site
IhlS acquisition was thought to con-
tain about 100 acres, but as the deeds
figure up, the amount is 1860 acres,
more or less. The regular market price
was given and the property was
bought at about $40 per acre. The
committee had options on other farms
adjoining, but decided the amount
purchased would be ample So eager
were some of the farmers to dispose of
their property that when the last visit
was made to the place, Thursday, 9TH
er farms were offered. and that after
the whole dead had been closed
The purchase is about three miles
long and one mile wide, and runs
north and south, The greater part is
located in the town of Templeton-of
which Baldwinville is a part-while
small sections extend into the towns of
Royalston and Phillipston. 1t is typi-
cal New England farm land, and is di-
| Vided equally into tillage, pasture,
sprout and timber land 1t has three
hills, each from 1000 to HOO feet above
| the sea level, and has every exposure.
Through the centre runs Beaver brook
which will give an abundant water
| supply, while following it is the di-
rect road between Royalston and
| Phillipston.
The tract, which is now one big state
| farm, is made up of seven entire farms
ranging from 100 to I'll acres each, and
10 parcels from three 10 go acres each.
These parcels consist of detached pas
lures, sprout and wood lard. The build
ings now standing, farm houses and
| barns, are upon the highway running
( through the tract, and can be made
available for inmates OF the home if
| desired
The farm will produce it's own milk,
butter, beef, beans, mutton and veget-
ables, which will be used at the school.
AT present, with a dairy of 20 COWS at
the school, the monthly milk bill
amounts to over $500. Under the new
regime this will be reduced if not Who'll
ly removed. Other products will di-
| minish the cost of living, and where
| at present the amount per capita for
| maintaining the school is 1925 per
week, the committee IS confident that
the new order of things Will reduce the
expenses at least 80 per cent.
The products will be shipped by rail
direct to Waltham, and it was with this
end in view that the committee sought
land near the railroad. None of the
farm truck will~be sold. 1t will be used
wholly for the school.