Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-16
MONTPELIER, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1915. 3

ally one hundred acres More frequently lot was
divided, thus making home for two families
While the growing of wheat, which required much
labor, continued to be the principal business, the
population increased rapidly. From the first cen
sus in l79l to the second in lSC0 the increase was
ninety-nine per cent. Emigration contributed to
this increase. From 1900 TO 1910, forty eight per
cent From about this time the business of many
farmers was diverted from raising grain to the rails
ing OF stock. The war, the cold season Of 1876
and the marvellous tales of the fertile West had
some Influence, but to the change in business of
the farmers we must look for the princpal cause of
reducing the increase from 1910 to 1920 to less
than two per cent. The census of 1880 showed
an increase in the ten preceding years of twenty
three per cent. This increase is mainly to be at
trlbuted to the then unsettled state Of the industr
al pursuits Of the country, permitting many to hope
that in the end business would take such direction
as would enable them to obtain comfortable sub
sstence, and afford reasonable chances of wealth,
without removing 10 the West, and severng the
ties and attachments which bound them to the land
OF their birth. During the next period of ten years,
the raising of wheat, as have before remarked,
from causes beyond the control of the farlner had
nearly ceased More than half the brcadstuffs used
were brought from other States. Wool-growlng
had become the main pursuit. The census of 1910
shows its effects in diminished population for this
period of six per cent To those who feel an in
terest in the prosperity of county, this fact af
fords reasonable cause for alarm.
Ifsuch thing were cause for boosting, Addison
county might feel just pride IN the many enter
przing, moral and talented men, she has sent abroad
to other States, to exercise heathful influence
on the future destnies of our common county,
But in this matter, what is gain to other commit
mites is positive loss to us. We have not only
lost of the young and vigorous physical power OF
our people, but they have taken with them much of
the wealth amassed by their fathers, leaving the
county groanng under load of debt Our rela
tive political power and influence is silently de.
parting from us, and unless industrial pursuits
are opened to the young and ambitious, new branch.
es of business established and sustained among us
| see no reason to expccta dmnuton of this drain
of the life blood of our county.
To show the character OF this drain, again re
fer to the returns OF the population of the
whole State, under twenty years of age, the males
exceed the number of females by five and one
fourth per cent of those between twenty and for
ty, the females exceed the males by four and one
fourth per cent; and Of those over forty years
; age, by one and onethrd per cent; showing the
greater proportion of the emigration from the State
J TO be males, in the prime and vlgor of MANHOOD
These facts present grave and interesting questions
J to the phianthropist the political economist, ant
| the statesman.
! If asked for the remedy, | would say, dissent
! nate correct knowledge in agriculture. Let tn
owners of the soil be instructed how to make tw
blades OF grass grow where one grew before. En-
courage the establishment of manufactures an
the mechanic arts beside the agricuturist En-
courage it, because of its tendency to increase tn
variety of the productions of FARMS by furnish
ing ready and profitable market at our own door
therefor; but above all other it should b
| urged, affording honorable employment an
scope for the enterprise of the hundreds of sor
who now feel compelled to seek home abroad