Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-11
Editors Letter Box
Discusses Abandoned Farms.


Kennebec Journal,
Dear Editor: our various
visits to Maine, in recent years, while
we have been pleased with the signs
of prosperity in villages and cities
we have been panied to note the
number of abandoned farms, not only
in the seacoast counties but in the
interior as well.
/ have no statistics at hand to
prove the number of such farms but
it is safe to state there are thousands
of them, in the State, that a genera
ton ago were under a fair state, of
cultivation, yielding fair return to
their occupants now either wholly or
partly abandoned.
This condition has been brought
about largely because the young men
have left the farms. some going to
what seemed the land of opportunity
the Great West; others entering
the professions; the majority to the
cities to enter the various indus
tries.
Many of the sons of Maine farmers
may be found as workers in shoe fac
tories. conductors on the elec.rics
and in similar occupations in the
cities of Maine and Massachusetts
and apparently not as well to do nor
enjoying the comforts of the fathers
on the old homestead
Some one has said that "all wealth
comes from the soil" and while
Maine has many valuable manufac-
turing industries it has been true of
her. that in point of value and the
number engaged. agriculture is the
most important of all her Industries.
No loyal son of Maine. living in the
State or out, can view the deserton
of these many farms without a feel
ing of sadness and apprehension
The question is what can be done
to remedy this unfortunate condi-
ton? Many states, like Minnesota,
have immigration departments to ar
range for settlers. While Maine now
has no lands for prospective settlers.
should the legislature create such q
department it would seem a feasible
way to repeople these abandoned
farms. How could this be worked
out? Have this department get in
! touch with rs many of such farm
owners as possible; get their lowest
prices and terms of sale and take a
written option on them for stated
time. The department would then
be in a position to advertise for rur-
chasers, selling to farmers only and
not spectators. Where find such
purchasers? Some at Ellis Island
when they land. others through our
consuls in Europe and also through
friends of foreign citizens desiring
homes in this country. You may
claim that this will cost a consider
able sum. We admit that, but who
can measure the difference in value
to the State. between a few thousand
wide awake successful farmers on
one hand or that number of deserted
farms whose acres are fast returning
to a wild state, with buildings grad
ually going to ruin.
Every one knows that the man who
cultivates even small farm, making
a. good living for his family, is from
the standpoint of usefulness the peer
of any citizen of his community and
adds to the beauty of the landscap pc.
Maine has in many parts a fairly
fertile soil, sadly needing men to Gull
tivate it. Is there anything more
important for the good old State than
this re-peopling the many farms, now
fast becoming n blot on the land
scape? Some one may have a better
plan, if so let us hear from him.
Very truly yours.
CHAS. P. DeLAITHE.
Atkins, Mimi, Jan. G. 1921