St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1912-05-29

There are many encouraging signs
that the publicity campaign (limited
in its extent as it must needs be
from the limited funds at the dis
posal of those who are directing the
affair." which the state publicity de-
partment under Secretary of State
Guy W. Bailey is carrying on viii go
great ways toward accomplishing
the ends it has in view. That this is
true can readily be seen by a read
ing of some of the many letters Mr.
Bailey has received in the form of
requests for the literature or of ap-
probation for the attention shown
to previous communications. 1t
pays to advertise a state, as will, it
is hoped, be shown in the following
brief allusion to some of these let
tiers Mr.. Bailey has received.
In the first place, it might not be
without interest to consider how far
reaching the advertising is. From a
comparatively small number of let
tiers it was seen that information
was sought by residents of the fol-
lowing countries and states: Cuba,
Canada, (Ontario and Quebec),
Massachusetts,, New Hampshire,
Vermont, Ohio, Maine, South Dako-
ia, Oregon, Connecticut and New
York. One excellent feature that dis
closes itself is the interest taken by
some of the residents of other states
in furnishing list of names of 9TH
er men who have in mind the coming
to Vermont to make their homes.
AS to the nature of the requests,
it is safe to say that in the great ma
jority of cases they are from men of
moderate means who desire to come
to the state and take their living
from the soil and take their chances
with the future. OF course there are
applications from those who desire
to make Vermont their summer
home; those of this kind being for
the most part from men who reside
in or about the city of Boston. Yer
mont offers excellent inducements to
the class these represent as from
almost any section there is speedy
communication with the Massachu-
sets metropolis.
Letters there are from those who
frankly confess that they have little
or-no experience in farming, while
others, from their questions, clearly
demonstrate that theirs is a thor
ough knowledge. Small farms are
what are wanted in the greater part. !
AS to location, lake or river frontage
seems to hold the popular vote,
while there is a general desire to be |
in the vicinity of some large town
or city. This last is particularly true
of those who wish to indulge in mix
ed farming, poultry, and small fruit |
raising. There seems to be a general
note of optimism prevailing in the
letters and frankness which |
prompts the telling of just what is
expected for the cash payments the
writer's are ready to make. There |
was one little note of complaint that
in one or two instances men whose
farms were noted as being for sale |
neglected to respond to inquiries
sent them. It seems only the fair
thing that those who have taken adj
vantage of the states good will show |
the courtesy of responding to all |
based upon the liter
allure sent out by the publicity bur-
eau. Cooperation is required and |
should be granted.
There is something significant in |
the inquiries from Canada. To OBJ |
servers in the northern part of the |
state it has become apparent that |
more and more thrifty Canadians /
(for the most part they are French) |
are coming across the line and pur-
chasing farms. Nor do they take |
the poorer places that are offered for
sale, but rather seize some of the /
best properties that are on the |
The family ties in the |
French family are that much strong |
er than those of American families |
that the young folks do not hasten |
to the cities as soon as they are old /
enough to do so, but are still con-
tented to remain at home and help |
till the soil. Which is mighty factor
in enabling these French Canadians
to take and keep excellent places.