The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-25
MORE AND BETTER
FARMERS NEEDED
Attention is Paid to the
Maine Fisheries
Immigrants Directed to New England
Pine Tree Stock Raising Notable.


ter farmers, say the bulletin on agri-
cultural opportunities just issued by
the department of commerce and labor
for the benefit of immigrants and
home seekers.
In all the New England states are
excellent opportunities for prospec-
tive farmers, according to the depart
ment Adjacent markets, good means
of transportation, available land Of
fer attractive inducements and good
profits.
Very few states have as good a
market and as excellent facilities for
disposing of farm produce as Massa-
chusetts," the bulletin says. las re-
CARDS the foreign export trade in
Massachusetts, grown produce, Boston
holds most strategic position"
Again, the strong demand of
Massachusetts people for frst-class
food products can be met in a way to
insure to them well-ripened fruit and
fresh vegetables.
Along with the advantages of the
best market and means of transporta-
ton, the investor in Massachusetts
farm lands has what the home pro-
Queer always has, the saving in freight
rates.
In Maine the fisheries form one of
the most important industries, but
the produce and stock farms cover
one of the largest areas of fertile farm
land in New Englasd. Names sue
cess in stock raising has been notable.
In the ten-year period from 1900 to
1910 domestic animals, poultry and
bees increased in value over $4,000,
600 or All per cent. The greatest
change is noted in the total value of
horses and colts, more than nine
tenths of the whole gain being in that
class
Maine has no public lands that are
open to settlement There are, how
ever. very favorable opportunities for
farmers and farm laborers seeking
place to establish a home There are
hundreds of unoccupied farms with
buildings, pasture and woodslands and
with soil capable of producing crops
equal or superior to those of any other
state These farms can be purchased
at prices that are ridiculously low,
notwithstanding the rapid increase in
farm values as shown by the last cen
sus.
THE average value of land rose
from about So per acre in 1900 to near
ly $14 in 1910, this rise being accom-
panied by increase in the average
value per farm of implements and
machinery and of live stock.
THE average value of land and
buildings has increased $1,000 per
acre during the last decade, which
is three times as great an increase
as that which occurred during
the preceding half century. The
value per farm of equipment, which
includes implements and machinery
and live stock, is over two and half
times as great as in 1850.
THE trend of agriculture in New
Hampshire is towards forestry, dairy
ing, fruit growing, and in the southern
part, trucking.
THE remarkable popularity of the
state as summer resort has pro-
vided large additional markets. Five
hundred summer hotels and boarding
houses, and 5000 summer homes scat
tered over the entire state, whose oc-
cupfnts have been attracted by eli
mate and scenery, and have come to
spend rather than make money, af-
ford about the best local market for
farm produce in every rural section
that can be found in the country.
THE public utilities established in
New Hampshire are equal to those in
any other state"
Vermont also in the l0-year period
from 1900 to 1910 shows a large in
crease in value of domestic animals,
poultry and bees. Here, too, the great
est increase has been in the value OF
horses and colts, more than two-thirds
of the whole amount. The depart
ment says of Vermont:
There are lands in private owner
ship for sale ranging from s. to $40
per acre. and the terms Of payment
are often very easy. There are also
lands for rent The rental of farm
lands is usually made on annual, semi
annual, and sometimes monthly terms.
The characteristics of the cheaper
lands are that they are hilly, some
what rough, and somewhat removed
from market The higher-priced lands
mentioned are the best the state af-
fords."