Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-26
WOMAN'S @
eS REALM.
WOMEN MAKE HOMES.
They Take Up Abandoned Farms and q
Rural Existence.

Rural Existence.
The problem Of the abandoned" or
rundown farm in New Hampshire is
p finding at least partial solution, as
simple as it is characteristic of the
times. These places are being redeemed
and beautified In considerable numbers
by intelligent single women from Bos-
ton and elsewhere, some of whom
spend only their vacation in the coun-
try. Within circuit of about twen-
ty-five miles, among the foothills of the
White Mountains, one who has the en-
tree of these delightful homes may
visit several.
These women, and others similarly
occupied, many Of whom are well
known and well educated, are distinct
ly recognized in the farming communl-
ties where they have become property
holders as residents to be counted upon
when public improvements are to be
undertaken, and public opinion is to
be formed.
One woman, fer example, who has
>>for the present given up her profession
on account of her health, has bought
farm of rather exceptional value, be-
cause it includes fertile "intervale"
land. On this she raises large hay
crops. She has put dormer windows
into the quaint old house that she
found in the place, fitted it up with old
fashioned furniture, put settles beside
the big fireplace in the living room,
hung crane and kettles in 1t, and
placed odd old paintings and prints on
the walls. Here she entertains sum-
mer boarders and winter house parties.
Another woman farmer, Miss B., has
come from the West and established
herself on so high hill that she is un-
usually safe from intrusion. She raises
an abundance of fruit and vegetables
of unexcelled quality and enough hay
for her stock. With her own hands
xhe makes the delicious butter served
on her table. One man can do her
outside work. One strong woman does
the heaviest work of the household,
and with no temptations to spend her
wages, she is making money. Her
mistress is not doing this, but she is
making enough to live on, and is spend
ing her days amid glorious mountain
views, in dust free and ozone charged
air, where her relatives and friends
from far and near are only too glad to
join her in summer. In winter she has
time for congenial pursuits.
Within neighborly distance of this
place yet third woman has bought
farm, as an investment rather than a
home. She goes up in the early sum-
mer to do the needed repairs and
cleaning and to get her quaint old stuff
into its most effective positions. Then
she leaves it for the tenant, who has
si6sn her advertisement and has come
hundreds of miles, perhaps, to this spot
hidden among orchard and forest
trees, far from any much Travelled
road.
One enterprising woman has made
her house an absolute model of COM
fort and beauty-an object lesson to
farmer folk and city people alike, and
both come from miles around to see
1t. She is improving her place in many
ways; valuable timber is carefully
guarded; wild fruit trees are being
grated; rare plants, like Labrador tea,
are cherished; comfortable benches are
placed where specially fine views of
the mountains are commanded. Many
varieties of wild berries, reindeer moss,
curious ground pines and other plants
native only in high attitudes add their
interest to the place, while massive
granite powders and cleaning quartz
lodges add their picturesque charm.
In another part Of the State young
Woman, who is an amateur artist, has
converted an abandoned farm into an
all-year-round home of such elegance
and proportions as to suggest an Eng
1ish estate. Landscape gardening is
conspicuous feature of her undertak-
ing. She raises, cattle, horses and
sheep ON considerable scale, and goes
SO far as to have her wool woven into
fabrics and designs of her own selec-
tion.-New York Tribune.