Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-08-06
S26O,6O6 81

The " CLAREMoNr EAGLE" has good commu-
nicatlon, from an extensive farmer and a WOOL
grower in that vicinity, which t4kes just view of
the intimate relations existing between the farmer
and manufacturers, as well as the comparative gains
OF their respective avocations. We subioin a few
paragraphs from the writer's communication. They
are clear, cogent aad unonswerabe:
Your correspondent assumes that the profits of
farming are very small, and those of manufacture
ing very large. 1t may be so in respect to ndiyid-
ual instances; but extending the comparison
through several years, and OYER any considerable
territory think it would he difficult to show that
manufacturing had been on an average more prof
liable than farming. On the contrary it is quite
apparent that the general benefits to farmers and
laborers, arising from the establishment of manu-
features, are far greater thun to manufacturers
themselves. The ancient town OF Newburyport
offers recent and striking illustration on this
point. Before any factories erected there its
populetlon and business had greatly declIned
many buildings were unenanted, and real estate
extremely low. Now every thing bears a busy and
Furnishing aspect A large number of persons of
both sexes find constant and profitable employment;
rents have been increased, and large addition has
been made to the value of lands, not only in the
compact part OF the town, but for several miles
round, in consequence Of the profitable market thus
afforded for every article which the farmer has TO
sell. Manufacturing stock may be good there now.
Next year 1t may pay very littl'. The income of
such property is huctuaung. But so large an a.
mount Of capital is Invested that the machinery
iciH be worked. fthe present propretors cannot
run it, 1t will change hands and be employed by
others SO that whether the stockholders secure
nigh dividends or low, or none at ALL the ADJACENT
community will derive substantial and permanent
advantages
But suppose manufacturers are making money
faster than others. What is to be done ? Would
a repeal of the tariff remove the difficulty? Is it
not apparent that the greater the number of me-
chanlcs and manu- facurers, the less will be The
number of farmers; and the less the number of
farmers the less will be the amount of their prod
ucs; aud the less the supply OF their products the
GREATER will be the demand, and consequently
the price for them Certainly, no argument can
be required to prove that whatever diminshes the
quantity of wool on hand for example, has as great
an effect to Increase Its price would an enlarged
consumption Of it. The operation Of manufactures
upon agriculture is two fold. The torneraugment
the demand for materials and provisions, by en-
poying greater number Of laboTers than the lat
ter, and in greater variety OF occupations while
at the same time they diminish the quantity Of ag-
ricultural products by Withdrawing labor and cap
ital from the field, aud transferring them to tie
workshop and warehouse. If it be true that man
ulacturng profits are too high that fact is full of
encouragement for the farmer; for in proportion
10 the extraordinary gains Of the busne viii be
the nducement TO engage in il; and in the ratio of
It's increase, will the farmer receive the double
benefit OF being relieved from competition aud
having his domestic market improved and extend
ed"
To become popular is an easy tbinp to do nm