Deserted Fields 29 



is true that there are many fields on the higher 

 farms that are not used except for hay and 

 pasture, and some of them are not even used 

 for these purposes. Practically all these so- 

 called abandoned farms are either owned or 

 rented by near-by farmers and have really 

 become a part of the adjacent farm. The 

 house is unoccupied for the simple reason that 

 the farmer needs but one house. A few vacant 

 houses have been deserted by families who have 

 lost their homes on mortgage, but apparently 

 not primarily from fault of the land. Many 

 others have been sold because of discontent on 

 the part of the owners, who wished to try their 

 fortunes elsewhere. In some cases the owner 

 has died and the house is unoccupied be- 

 cause the estate has not yet been settled. A 

 few more are vacant because tenants cannot 

 be secured, and the farm is rented to whom- 

 ever is willing to take it on shares. 



Old fields. 



Similar remarks may be made with respect 

 to many of the apparently abandoned fields. 



