Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-02-26


Would like an unbiased opinion Of
some one and appeal to you for that
opinion.
will you please answer through the
columns Of your paper II you consider
Maine q good place for man Of small
means to locate on . farm. / am
anxious to 20 into the country this
spring, and would like to buy farm In
Maine, but have heard such discourag-
ing reports from parties who claim to
know something about 1t that l am
afraid TO make move In that direction.
/ have two children, and would like TO
locate near good schools and . good
market.
Would not Pennington be . desirable
locationf
Yours very respectfully,
William A. Brown,
New York.
The above letter 10 apparently an
honest inquiry from thoughtful, level
headed man whose caution leads him to
look before he leaps, that he may avoid
learning later on that q mistake had
been made difficult to rectify. We will
endeavor to make reply In tho same
spirit We understand the information to
be asked for.
In the frat place 1t should be under
stood that what may be recommended
as ''good place. to locate in depends
on many differing conditions, and that
no two persons will exactly agree a. to
which arc ''good'' and desirable, and
which Objectionable. There 10 no
locality where every condition will suit
every persons preference, or In fact any
one persons desires. So the only course
for an individual to meet his ideal In that
regard Is to migrate with the birds.
But there are very few who feel, with
the old song-that, ANY old place to
hang my hat, is home, sweet home to
me-"
While We are located here In Maine
because We firmly believe 1t 10 "good
place" for MS, yet We will only attempt
to show to our inquirer some OF the con-
ditions which may contribute to make
it desirable to others, and especially 20
''to man Of small means"
In the first place, there Is no section
of this wide country where imam OF
small means"-or Of large means either,
can buy 80 much that goes to make
ND home 40 in tho rural towns OF this
state. There 10 scarcely town In the
state, aside from Aroostook county,
where farms are selling for more than
the buildings cost in their erection. In
this We are not referring to the mythical
abandoned farms" or worthless farms.
We mean medium-sized farms, good
land, well-fenced, good wood-lot, fairly
we'll located, plenty of buildings and in
good repair, and all ready for COM
Portable and desirable home for family.
Cheaper lands can be bought, neglected
lands, vacated lands with buildings 60
ing to decay or gone, rough lands and
back lots-these We are not talking
about.
Our inquirer says he has "heard such
Encouraging reports" etc. We know
not to what he refers. We are stating
reliable facts. At the same time, II ono
is looking for country location, espe-
cially one at small cost, he should not
expect to find everything that can be
desired connected with 1t. Good schools
close at hand, . church across the street
and . good market near by, all tend to
give value to any country homo, and II
such are to be found for sale tho price
will be found to be governed somewhat
BY such accompanying conditions.
Our advice would be for the inquirer
to consult Strout's catalogue Of Maine
farms for sale, and after inquiry OF the
local selling agent of the surrounding
conditions affecting the value, visit the
premises in person. In that way all
disappointment may be avoided.
Our inquirer hits Alright when he re-
fers to Pennington. This 10 one OF the
finest towns In New England, center OF
wealth, culture and refinement, and with
plenty of low-priced country homes
within easy reach, some of which arc for
sale.
We know nothing of the "discourag.
ing reports" referred to. One thing 10
certain, Maine has plenty OF snow and
cold weather. But We have learned to
count these a. blessings. The con-
tinuous cold holds tho snow with us the
winter through, and al our business,
and our pleasure for the time a we'll, ID
based on runners. There ID NO sue
cession of snow, slush, mud and frozen
ground. So our summers are delightful
and climate invigorating. The moral
atmosphere, also, Is Of high order, and
we who know Of these many advantage
Gus conditions, find 1t . desirable state
for home, and We invite others to come
here and enjoy 1t with us.-Maine
Farmer.