The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1914-03-17
BENNINGTON, VT, MAR. II, 1914
vERMoNT,s GREAT CHANCE

In the preceding decade, according
to the national census returns, there
were no less than 1899 acres OF
cultivated land in New England al
lowed to go back to an untillable
state. OF this regretful total no less
than 90 per cent. was in Vermont,
about II per cent. in New hampshire
near 10 per cent in Massachusetts
and one per cent. in Connecticut.
The taxation appraisement OF this
property was some II millions Of dol
lars, but in AN all around economic
sense its value was vastly greater.
The reversion of Vermonts near to
100000 acres fro cultivated to an
untillable state meant an enormous
loss to herself and all New England.
White River Junction Landmark.
The above figures which We nrss
saw printed in the Brattleboro Refor-
mer and which have since been re-
printed and commented on by sever
al state papers. are probably not re-
liable even though they are said to
come from the census returns. We
should want more evidence than has
ye. been produced before we should
believe that an average of over two
thousand acres in every town in the
state has gone back into an until
able state.
In fact the figures are so preposter-
GUS as 20 be ridiculous. They are
like some corn acreage figures from
the federal census relative to YER
mont that were circulated two or
three years ago which were 50 ab-
! surb that they were afterward inses-
| tigated and found untrue.
Just how these incorrect tillaole
area figures were arrived a. we have
no way Of knowing but probably
| from figuring an entire farm as till
able whereas in Vermont and other
eastern states a large proportion OF
| cleared land is not tillable. The
compilation of statistics in Wash
| ington bureau is of course wholly
| pelfunctory and done mostly by
| clerks who are good at figures. bat
who know absolutely nothing about
the subject to which their figures re.
late. as their gratesque statistics oc-
casionally testify.
While denying the total however,
Vermont is compelled to acknow-
ledge that the figures are partially
correct Anybody. who is at all fa-
miliar with the rural towns OF YER
mont knows that there are thous.
ands OF farms in the state that are
giving practically no return and on
which h.tle or nothing is done. Some
are deserted. Some are joined to
larger farms and some are occupied
by people OF advancing years whose
sens and daughters have sought
homes in the cities or larger towns
or beyond the borders OF Vermont
We believe that it is safe TO say
that there are twelve to fifteen
thousand farms in Vermont Chat can
BIO bought today for but li.tlc more
than the buildings on them cost. and
perhaps half as many more from
which the buildings have nearly or
quite disappeared.
II has been shown repeatedly in
Vermont and in Nother states that
every one of these farms is salable
at its actual yalue to q high grade Of
people provided that the terms are
made easy, just as it is found neces-
sary in new countries TO attract set
tiers.
With our fertile soil, cur ncarncss
TO great city markets. our wonder
fully healihful climate, pure water
and proximity TO schools and church
es we have attractions and adygntag
es in rural New England which only
2 few favored sections CT the west,
the south and the Canadian north.
west can surpass.
at the same time our real estate
values especially In the back towns
ranging from IS to S25 per acre, in
Gliding buildings, is much less than
Wild land far from market and often
without water in the western sla.cs.
a hundHd thousand people could be
added 10 the population OF Vermont
during the next five years IL Vermont
would do as is done in the west and
sell these farms on long time credit
and easy payments 20 actual set
tiers.
1 The country is full OF land hungry
people who would like to buy farms.
but who are deferred by the inability
O. get credit. Some Of these people
are industrious. honest, intelligent
peasants from the Old world: some
are the sons Of the farmers OF tho
middle west where farm real estate
has gone so nigh in price that tne
young man Is compelled to seek new
fields: some arc dwellers in towns
and cities where they have found life
lard and cruel and wonld like 20 try
the country.
The essential is that they be given
fifteen 10 twenty years time 10 pay
for their farm and that practically
no payment down be demanded. The
very best OF this class OF settlers
are usually the young men Just mar
ried. who have industry and deter
mination but no money. Even Ia
er-,r rnzas 81 r,,foI4 Ia Use 10 helm