The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-01-02
AGRICULTURAL.
ABANDONED FARMS.
Sad Tales of Deserted HabitatiOns In
Vermont.


1t is sad and painfuld fact that
many of the ball farms of Vermont
have been abandoned, These farms
fifty years ago supported large families
and large amount Of stock. This is
great loss to the State, both in income
and population. 1t s we'll to know
what has caused it, aud to see il some
thing cannot be done to have these
farms occupied again.
1t is not as pleasant to live on these
hills as it is in or near a V llage, yet the
air on the hills is purer and healthier
than in the valleys. The great cause
why the farms have been abandoned is
because it does not pay to run them. If
they paid they would soon be occupied
again.
When wool sold for 40 and so cents
pound it paid, but the drop in price
some years TO ten cents pound has al
most ruined this industry, that was
once the greatest Of the State, 1t has
caused the loss of over million and
half of sheep to the State, If foreign
wool and woolens had been kept out of
the country this would not have hap
pened. This country should make all
the cloth that it uses, and should grow
all the wool for it. The sheep business
is looking up some, and ii would be
well for towns to encourage it by ex-
empting sheep farms from taxation for
few years.
Fifty years ago one who ran one of
these abandoned farms said that the
income from it was $500 or more each
year, that his 100 sheep sheared him
400 pounds of washed wool, which at
40 cents a pound came to $3.50; the
lambs were worth about as much more.
Then there was what he sold from his
dairy, swine, poultry, cattle and horses.
The fruit, maple sugar and wood
amounted to something.
1t did not cost them 80 much to live
then as now, though provision and
what they wore were much higher.
Many aborer supported his family
and supported it well on 5000 year.
A rev facts will be given in regard
to some half dozen of these aban.
doned farms that run together on a
row OF hill. Farm No. contains 1876
acres; it cut at one time 40 or more
tons of hay and raised good lot of
grain, potatoes and apples; it kept a
large stock; it has not been occupied
for several years. The grass is cut,
the buildings have not gone down.
Farm No. 2 contains so acres; it cut
some Is or more tons of hay, raised
good fields of grain and potatoes, and a
fine lot of apples; coed seasons there
were from 500 to 1000 pounds of maple
sugar made. The buildings have gone
up and the farm is now all in pasture.
No. 8 contains 100 acres; it once cut
% tons of hay and kept large stock;
the buildings have gone down and it is
now pasture. Farm No. contains
$50 acres and cut once so tons of hay;
large families have been raised on it.;
the buildings have gone up and it is
now pasture. What has been said of
No. can be said of the next two.
These pastures are not very closely
past ured 30 they are growing up to
trees again. The soil of these farms is
rich warm and quick. The wood sold
fromsthem once was from So to SO a
| cord.l During the war and since it has
brought from 81 to SIS cord; since 30
much coal has been brought into the
State there has not been half as much
wood burnt as before.
With the discoveries that have been
made in farming these farms can be
made to produce more than they did
and with.the new improved tools they
can be run at much less expense. The
grass on them was once all cut and
rakedIby hand. What has been said of
these farms can be said of too many
farms in Vermont. These farms lie
be tween two villages. A fine road can
be made through them for less than
$1,000 This would give quick and
easy access to the market, and it
would more than double their value.
The road will command the finest
scenery, and must be largely used by
tourists.
At one time 30 or more persons OF
different ages were living on these
farms; 20 or more horses were kept;
over 40 cattle and 300 sheep besides
the swine, poultry and bees. Three
thousand pounds or more of maple
sugar were made good seasons and 15(
cords of wood cut and marketed each
uaar-AlnhA Masser in New ENGLAND