Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-07-15
NUMBER AZ.


The Introduction Of canals and rail roads, and
their extension into all parts Of the country, is
working change to which many farmers in the
older porons look with evident alarm By these
facilities Tor iltercommuncailon and transportation,
the growers of breadsluIs and provisions on the
fertile praries Of The West are brought into al
must direct competition . ilh those Of the seaboard
and interior Of the Atlantic States. The alarm is
given, that farmers cannot stand such competi-
ton, that their business viii be ruined aud The val
ue Of their real esnse destroyed.
10 these fears we do not participate. There may
be some Inconvenience, aud some apparent present
loss, IN accommodating ourselves 10 the change of
circumstances. but we must do it, whether we will
or no, aud, in our apprehension, il will be done so
gradually as TO produce very rinIng Inconvenience
or loss When il is done, we shall find that rail
roads have done more to promote the agricultural
prosperity Of New England and To enhance the
value Of the farmers property, than any other
of recent date.
In all time past and all the world over, il always
has been the case, and il always will remain TO be
so, that wherever local market is created the far
mer is more prosperous, aud his estates bear high
er value, than where he depends entirely dis
tant market lcr the sale of his products In the
vicinity Of all great towns, land always bears
paralvely high price, because it will pay profit on
such price.
Now, the tendency of Railroads is 10 build up
towns uherever they CO. and to create a local mar
ket in the vicinity. They afford such facilities for
carrying almost every kind of manufacturing
and mechanical business to bring these establish
ments 10 the doors of the farmers instead of COM
peling the farmers to send their produce great
distance TO them-a distance which would absorb a
considerable portion Of the value Of the commod-
ties in the expense Of transportation. As evidence
of this, we need but look at facts Everywhere, in
New England. that Railroads have been construct
ed, long enough to have their legitimate effects, vii
lagos have grown up, upon their line, kinds Of
business have been introduced, aud property, in the
immediate vicinity. has appreciated in value The
over which this influence extends every year,
widens as time is given for the change 10 work its
way.
The change, then, to which farmers must be sub
ected is, to cultivate for home market, instead
Of raising the great staples for that is dis
iant. Prime lump butter, anywhere within ten
miles Of the villages and towns upon the Railroad,
or where they can gel il weekly TO market by Rail-
road is worth nearly twice as much as il is where
they are compelled 10 lay il down and keep il for
distant market in the winter Lambs, veal, vegeta-
bes of various kinds, and all descriptions of fruits
are comparatively more valuable. The effect, then,
Of the Railroads eventually will be, to give the Vi
cny Of the places they pass through nearly all the
advan ages they would possess, if located near
populous city.
With the culture Of many things adapted 10 this
change OF circumstances. especially Of the
valuable fruits. considerable portion Of our agri-
cultural community are not very well acquainted
The they acquaint themselves herewith, so
as to adapt themselves TO the change, the more 10
their interest it will be.-Ne0 England Farmer.