FARMING IN MAINE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16406, 3 April 1919, Page 7

FARMING IN MAINE.

NEGLECTED LANDS RESUMED. (Special to the Christian Science Monitor.) Norway, Maine.—That the call of the land is being heard by the people is shown by the fact that the number of abandoned farms in Maine is growing less each year - . There were 3398 abandoned farms with a . total’of 254,513 acres of uruvorked farm lands in Maine in 1890, At the present time it is estimated by the State Commissioner of Agriculture that there are some 60,000 farms in Maine, located in 500 different towns. A poll of real estate dealers, insurance people and assessors shows that the number of abandoned farms is about 1500, with a total acreage of something like 115,050 acres. Tho school system has been greatly improved in the last few years in the rural districts, and this was helped to keep the families of Maine on the farms. A number of the most fertile of the abandoned farms have been taken over during the last five years and converted into summer homos.

More is being done every year in Maine to instill into the minds of those living in the agricultural section the value of systematic farming, and to this end the schools and colleges throughout the State are using their best endeavours.

From the reports given out by farm agencies it is shown that there is a decided movement toward the State of Maine by people who have been residents of other states; in other words, the pilgrims are returning home after spending many years in the West and other sections. Some alien colonies have been introduced, like the Finnish colonies at West Pan's and South Thomaston, and tho Swedes in Aroostook Coxinty. This plan has worked well, and industrious and prosperous communities resulted.