Oxford Democrat., 1907-07-02
Left the West for the East.

Left the West for the East.
The west had been my home from boy
hood, but had always wanted to visit
historic New England, and the opportu
nifty came. Boston and vicinity proved
interesting. Then back into Massa
ohusetts, up through Vermont and New
Hampshire went. 1t was revelation
Here were agricultural possibilities dor.
mant, awaiting the Industrious modern
farmer and stock raiser. I resolved to
become Yankee at once.
Observation and q study of causes
seemed to make it all plain to me.
Horace Greedy said, "Go west young
man." The young men went. They
not only went west, but to the cities.
Any place that offered glittering induce
ments caught the farm boys of New
England. The great trans-continental
railways had received immense grants OF
land from the government as a bonus
for the construction of their lines. Buy
ers for these lands were next in order.
Settlers along the various roads were
also necessary to furnish them business
in traffic. Then came those lurid ad-
vertisements portraying in glowing
colors the golden opportunities in the
west. Numerous land companies also
gave impetus to the movement by dis
tributing broadcast exaggerated reports
and literature. Ridiculosly low fares to
the new eldorados were offered and the
rush was on in earnest. Thousands
migrated. To be sure, there were
millions of acres of fertile prairie lands
to be had almost for the asking, and per-
haps the settler was in measure justi-
fed.
For years this western movement has
been in progress. First, it was the pick
of these lands at sl.25 an acre. In q
decade it was $40, then $50. And now
what? Those Sl25 lands are to-day sell
ing for 800 to $500 per acre, and the
day of good, cheap farms in the west is
past.
In the early day all western products
had necessarily to seek market in the
east, and the New England farmer found
it difficult to compete in the production
of cereals and meats. But conditions
have changed. The center of popula-
tion is gradually travelling toward the
Rockies. With each succeeding year
the now populous west consumes more
and more of her farm products, which
means that competition in Boston and
New York between homegrown and
western stuff is decreasing. Then, too,
the virgin fertility of the soil west is be-
ing exhausted. In some sections COM
mercial fertilizer is already necessity.
This, of course, increases cost of pro.
duction there, and to that extent bene-
fits the producing New England farmer.
Under this new order of things, farming
and stock raising with him should now
be profitable.
Nowhere in the United States can the
home seeker buy so much for his money
as here in New England. In the town
of Northwood, and it Is only one of
many, well improved farms can be had
at less than value of the buildings, with
the land, timber and wood thrown in for
good measure. But they will advance
in price. In fact, they have already
done so in localities whose recently or.
ganized boards of trade and improve
ment clubs have in q small way brought
to notice the advantages these fine old
farms offer.
Many Of them will double in value in
the next ten years. They are going to
be in demand These splendid dignifed
old homcsteads, will be sought after by
the western farmer who wishes TO escape
cyclones, drouths, the everlasting sla-
very of irrigation, sapdstorms, isolation,
and the clutches Of the stock yards and
elevator combines. Here he may posi-
bly, have to do things on a smaller scale,
but more Of the dollars he actually pro-
duces will reach his pockets. And, too,
he should need fewer dollars.
At the same time he and his family
will be living; living in the broadcast
sense of the word. An abundance Of
fruit, fine water, good roads, attractive
lakes and streams, splendid schools,
railroad facilities and markets generally
good; for neighbors, refined and hos
pitable people.
Yes, the conditions of 40 years ago
have reversed. Then it was go west,
buy cheap lands, endure hardships, and
finally build home. Now it is go east,
buy cheap, we'll improved farms with
good buildings, in the midst of modern
The exodus to New Eng
land is just starting. Watch it grow
+. G. Scott in New England Homestead.