Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-15
Abandoned Farms

visits Maine during the summer
months, contributed to our columns
on the 18th inst some interesting
suggestions with regard to restoring
abandoned farms in Maine. Mime
sofa has an immigration department
whicls has to do with settlers and he
thought Maine might find it advan-
tageous to adopt some such a meth
cd. He suggests that prices could be
obtained of farms for sale and op-
lions secured and with that the State
be in a position to seek buyers.
Recently prominent Maine man
in conversation with the writer ex-
pressed a somewhat similar view.
He thought effort should be made to
get in touch with worthy immigrants
and spoke of several farms developed
by them in this State, that had come
TO his attention. These farms had
not supported the American families
on them and Russians had come in
and occupied them. Others had fol-
lowed ami thrifty colony of farmers
had resulted. He said he did not
think this an opportune time to in
crease State bureaus or commissions,
but he was very solicitous that some
thing should be done to stay the
abandonment of our farms. He
would go SO far as to get in touch
through our consuls with desirable
parties who might wish to come here
and would even have the State ex-
tend a limited credit to the immi-
grant
All this, of course. recalls the sue
cess which attended the efforts Of
William Widgery Thomas. then Com
missioner of immigration, who
brought over fifty-one Swedish COL
onists and assisted by Parker p. Bur-
leigh, then State Land Agent, estab-
lished them in a colony. now known
as New Sweden. That proved q
most gratifying enterprise and graft
cd a worthy scion on the Maine stock.
1t is an example Of what might, in
some degree, be accomplished now,
If we had facilities for Bringing the
impoverished but worthy immigrant
from the war worn lands and estab-
fishing him here on land which
awaits just that kind of an occupant.
The census shows that since 1910
the number of farms in Maine has
decreased 1875 per cent, this notwith-
standing that in one great farming
county new land is being opened I'D
to settlers. to a small extent. The
improved acreage during that decade
decreased 49, per cent, or two and
a half per cent more than the entire
farm acreage. showing decrease in
.the operations on the farm not
abandoned. During this period of de-
creased farms the value of farming
property in Maine increased 35.7 per
cent. Today in this great country
51.4 per cent of the population is
living in cities. One need not 60 fur
.ther IN order to recognize the need of
change in this trend. Columns
might easily be written deplorink
this condition and discussing the
evils to which it gives rise. All our
energy, however. having recognized
1.-THE menace, should be directed to a
practical effort to improve it.
Major Philbrook. the deputy COM
lznisstonsr Of agriculture, in his re-
port for the past year. calls attention
ito the fact that whereas very few
Maine men have left our farms for
those Of other states quite a number
from other states or countries have
come to Maine. This indicates a
movement which may be susceptible
Ito stimulation and development: at
least Affords encouragement Of effort
Ito that end.
4 United States attorney connected
With this Democratic administrati ton
declares that the wrongs being per-