Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-02-25
STAND BY NEW ENGLAND FARMS.

STAND BY NEW ENGLAND FARMS.
One of the evidences of improvement
in the rural sections of New England is
the more encouraging way in which
farmers speak of their business and of
their location. There has been too great
disposition in the past to cry down New
England farms and New England farm
life. The fathers and mothers have in
many instances encouraged their boys
and girls TO seek other fields of labor
where 1t was supposed greater oppor-
tunities existed, and would-be purchasers
of real estate in the rural towns of New
England met with little encouragement
on the part of the residents there. II a
person of wealth and influence became
Interested in finding farm which he
could purchase and upon which he could
conduct up-to-date farming, he was dis
couraged by the people of the vicinity by
a recital of all the disadvantages of the
locality rather than encouraged, as he
surely would be in almost any other
section of the country by recital of its
advantages. This resulted in driving
people out of the towns and even in
keeIing away those who would like to
settle there. The boys have been re-
ferred TO the brilliant success made by
persons raised in the town, but who went
away in early life and became wealthy
and influential, but very seldom have
been referred TO the opportunities right
at home for honorable and successful
careers.
We think there has been change in
this matter during the past ten or fifteen
years and we believe there is 10 be still
further improvement in the appreciation
of rural advantages in the next decade.
There are various agencies coming into
existence that will naturally aid this
movement. The establishment of rural
free mail delivery, the extension of tele-
phone lines. and the building of electric
railroads add immensely to the desira-
bility of country life and To- the profits
of farming as well. The rapid develop
ment of. the summer home movement
and the purchase of thousands OF
abandoned and other farms for this pur-
pose has given an impetus TO farm life
that is noticeable in many localities.
The activity of the grange Throughout
New England is having a great effect in
providing social opportunities and there
by promoting a spirit of contentment
that has not previously existed. The
Old Home Week movement, now reach
ing into every New England state, has
exerted a vitalizing influence among
rural residents and caused stronger at
tachments of former residents to the
place of their birth and boyhood days,
resulting in the expenditure of money
upon the old homestead and occasionally
a permanent return 10 the old farm. The
gradual enactment of laws atfording i'm
proved educational facilities and the agi-
tation of the subject of good roads and
forestry have had an effect in favor of
rural New England life.
There should be a vigorous and unit
ed effort on the part of the people to
still further promote strong and rural
sentiment and an increased rural popu-
lation. Every practical means of secur-
ing further extension of rural mail, rural
telephones, and electric roads, better
roads, schools and oranges, more wealthy
owners of summer homes, and an in-
creased number of transient summer
visitors should have the encouragement
and support of the rural people. The
old-time grumblin about long winters,
severe droughts, freshets and frosts, bad
roads and high taxes should give way TO
a progressive policy in town, county and
state, as demonstrated in an honest pur-
pose 10 make rural New England still
more desirable than to-day. The old
ueighborhood quarrels, church factions |
and school fights should be forever |
abandoned. remembering that whatever |
aid comes to the rural towns will come |
as result of united effort To secure it.
When a man with property or with an
honest intention of becoming good eiu- |
zen comes to the town with the intention |
of locating, give the glad hand and as
sure him that the particular place which |
he has in mind is as desirable as any
place in the country. Tell him about |
the good roads, good schools, good So
ciety, good church privileges, good water |
and good facilities of every nature. Call
upon him when he gets located and ask |
him TO become Interested in the various |
public matters that exist in the town.
Let him know that you are proud OF |
your town and of your farm and want
him TO have the same feeling towards |
the town and his farm. Get away from
that old spirit of petty jealousy and
that has been matured by
the loafers around many country stores
and other village loafing places. The
rural people are rapidly getting away
from these practices and will soon be
free from their communicating |
influence. We see no reason for other
than the most hopeful and encouraging |
view of rural New England life in the
future if each does his duty |
toward his town and locality as loyalty
and zealously as does the resident of any |
other section of the country stand by his
anl h;S farp, Mirror and Earmar II