Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-07-24
SHALL WE KEEP SUMNER soARoeRs /,
TEMPERAMENT HAS MUCH TO DO. EACH
ONE MUST DECIDE FOR HIMSELF.

ais IL advisable for the farmers ol
Maine 10 make exertious to get and
keep summer bosrders: Would summer
oosrders accept farmhouse hospitality
readily in competition with the resort
inducements?
The inquiry reminds me OF the reply
once heard distinguished gentleman OF
color, who unlike most of his class was
lacking in musical ability, make 10 the
lady who expressed her surprise by say
ing that she thought all colored people
could sing. His reply was: "l
am not sll colored people" The farmers
OF Maine certainly are not all natural
born hotel or clearinghouse keepers,
While Il might pay for some farmers TO
make known their abilities In this di-
rection by advertising or otherwise,
there are many others who had better
let well enough alone.
There are all sorts of people who
would like TO spend vacation la the
country IL conditions would permit.
Parents with msrrisgesble dsaghters TO
dispose Of naturally select resorts noted
for their market facilities. A few like
to advertise their financial or social
standing BY frequentiug the most expen-
siye or most fashionable hotels, but h
far greater number seek the country for
real rest. Many Of these would sooner
90 to the right kind Of farmhouse than
10 q hotel.
The ideal living 10 many q city family
Is country place where fresh fruits and
vegetables, sweet rilk and cream and
new laid eggs are all at hand In sbun-
dance. But how many farmers have
these In full supply for their own use
through the seasony Some do, but fear
more do not.
In all large cities are many families
who live in filthy teuements, and hardly
know what refinement means, but IL il
not these that are seeking places In the
country In which to spend vacation.
The people making up that Glass known
ss summer bosrders" are usually pretty
good judges OF cookery and bed furnish
iugs. But not all such can afford TO
pay farmers price for board that would
paw them for changing their own pleas
snt home into public clearinghouse.
The farmer who caters 20 the city
trade In this line must expect 10 forego
not few of the advantages OF the life
OF an independent" farmer. | can sd-
wise no farmer OF Maine or elsewhere TO
attempt keeping summer bosrders with
out good deal OF previous calculation
aud preparation, Ii Is trade 20 learn
like any other trade, and the business Is
something 10 grow into as are most other
vocstious. There can rarely be any
profit from one or two bosrders, because
so many changes are required In the
mode Of living. The comfort and tastes
of the guests must be kept constantly ln
miud. IL must be pretty large farm
house that can comfortably sccommo-
date double the usual number OF occu-
pants. City bosrders are not going 10
stay long where they must sleep In the
attic OF low, one-story house, nor In an
unfinished loft over the woodshed or
house. Neither will summer
boariers go the second time 70 place
where there are no shade trees In the
yard, under which 10 sit or swing on
pleasant days while the farmers wife is
sweltering over the cook-stove.
To make success in this line one
should have a large two-story house
with plenty OF cool, airy sleeping rooms
that can De spared for guests without
too much Inconvenience TO the regular
members Of the family. The immediate
should be shady, clean
and attractive by the presence OF green
swsrd and Towering plants and shrub
berry. The vegetable and fruit garden
should contain in abundance large per-
ceptage Of the table supplies. Some
glass for forcing early stuff would surely
not come amiss. MIX and cream should
be as free as water, and the products OF
the poultry yard should lind the best
market right at home. IL the farm can
carry an extra horse for driving, SO
much the better will IL suit good class
Of patrons. OF course all this cannot be
st profit for what farmer
might be able 10 board his family and
hired men IN case they were not psrtic1-
lar except in regard 10 quantity. The
question IL really one to be answered
each one for himself. IL the buildings
and surroundings are. or can be msoe
suitable, and the family will properly
prepare themselves for the business, II
can be made profitable, otherwise IL had
better not be undertaken. There are
easier WAYS 10 get rid Of ones already
saved up dollars.-New England Farmer.