Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-04-24

While we are advocating publicity for the development of
Vermont as a tourist pleasure ground, we should not ignore the
fact that. in no State i'll the Union do farm lands offer so pronis-
ing a prospect of profit for the investor and the man who desires
to enjoy actual farming as in Vermont
1t is exasperating to see farm land selling in other States
on either side of us for much more than the same quality of
soil under similar conditions brings in Vermont, simply because
somebody at some period in our history made the mistake of adver-
Using to the world that this was a region of abandoned farms.
That was publicity of an undesirable kind.
Since that time our farmers in all parts of Vermont have gone
on selling their land at a figure far below the compensation they
should have received for it until not a few outsiders have gained
the impression that low prices are due to poor quality, whereas.
while we have some rough land, our soil. as a whole, holds a front
rank in productivity as indicated by recent government figures.
We are now on the upward glide. however. and people who
act on the suppositton that they can secure a Vermont farm for a
song. are still slumbering in the arms of Morpheus.
The increasing advent of summer visitors has served to open
our eyes to our true situation and to demonstrate that average
Vermont farms should be marked up anywhere from 50 to 800
per acre according to location.
Any man who now sells a good Vermont farm under valuation
ought to be prosecuted.
We might be in danger of coming into conflict with Uncle
Sam $ legal department or a charge OF Illegal action i'll restraint of
trade; but for the fact that in urging Vermont farmers to pull
together for higher prices for their land, we are in reality pro-
Nobody ever buys for either speculation or investment on a
falling market. That is one of the demonstrated facts of trade that
will not interfere with any industry or business interest.
When prices are tending upward everybody looks for better
conditions. wages improve. more money is put in circulation. oil
classes have more to buy with, and everybody is happy except the
We have already shown how people who are paying anywhere
from $500 to $500 per acre for apple orchards in Oregon and
markets and the old orchard near Burlington, whose youth was re.
ncwed so that it produced "A $1,000 crop in a single year. has adj
vanccd the value of every apple tree in Vermont capable of grating
Some of the very hills we have been inclined to regard as
rough land are so located that they are spbendidly adapted to tha
production of fruit and nuts.
We have also shown the possibilities of stock breeding and
dairying as well as of various lines of specialized farming in
Vermont.
What we seek to-day is to show that three of the most serious
handicaps from which our State has suffered are in a way to
be remedied. These are cheaper money; better market facilities;
an increased supply of farm labor.
Whatever may have been the faiings of the legislature. it
PROFESSIONALLY enacted laws tending to make money cheaper in
Vermont. 1t went even further than it was asked to go. by trying
to secure money for everybody as we'll as for the double tax pay
ing debtor land owner at five per cent. This will take time for its
It is no secret that State Commissioner of Agriculture T. S.
h Brlgham IS APP appointment commended S~ Itself to Governor Fletcher
begging for a chance to be sold.
Commissioner Brigham is how to secure for Vermont a more gen
erous supply 1r Of farm labor. He realizes that here too time and CO.
operation will be necessary. but he has made a good beginning by
starting a labor bureau, which he hopes will gradually improve
conditions materially.
This will eventually become a clearing house for farm labor
IN Vermont. Farmers who are troubled to secure help can send an
application to the bureau, while laborers in the cities and elsewhere
who want employment can send their names and qualifications to
the farm bureau, which will get the two in touch with each other.
Moreover, some of the best workers are to be found among
immigrants from the old world. and if Vcrmont's commissioner
OF agriculture can attract some of these to our farms he will be
among the worlds benefactors who cause two blades of grass to
grow where one grew before.
,.4, Commissioner BRIGHAM has had this matter under discussion
with the National Bureau of Immigration IS well as with various
societies in New York, and he believes he has put Vermont in posi-
ton to make a cool beginning in this direction.
We print in another column. what Commissioner Brigham has
70 Wo, 5H N to TINS rou suO iSct,. and we ", .S earnestly urge the farmers of
as corporation with Commissioner Brigham.
We must not expect too much from this agency at the very
'WHc' or IL axe Cne even TO clear a farm OF StUmpS or Il mort
gage.
We must not get discouraged. if we do not secure the right
KIND OF man or woman help on the first or second trial.
We must not overlook the fact that it will take time for I'M
migrants to learn or ways.
We cannot reasonably ask the State commissioner to guarantee
all laborers secured to be Sunday school scholars.
Some OF the most thrifty and prosperous people in the great
Northwest are recent emigrants from the old world. and they have
helped by their thrift to make their respective States prosperous.
Some OF them have been scoundrels, the same as some of us. but on
the whole they have made a valuable addition to the countrvis
population.
Unquestionably if this bureau can be put on a firm basis and
auevel!op IN a practical way, it will result in great good to the
farming interests of Vermont.
improved conditions and better markets Joined to increased
productivity will mean increased value for Vermont farms in GEN
eral, while summer tourists will pay fancy prices for desirable
SITES for summer residences. DO not kill the goose that laws the
golden egg, but keep her laying golden eggs by approaching the
splendid opportunities as we'll as the real value of farming lands
In Vermont for both regular crops and summer visitor harvests