The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-10-01


which this individual has witnessed
Within the lifetime of this venerable
man, Who, and others Of his genera
ton, stand, as il were, connecting link
between the present and past age,-wt
have advanced from state of colonia
vassalage TO nation of more than 30,
900, 900 inhabitants, welding an impor
: tant influence among the powers Of the
world Under his immediate obserya-
ton, your own section Of the country
has been transformed from its primitive
wildness TO state OF productivenes;
and beauty,-the home Of an intelligent
virtuous, and prosperous people.
The same individual has also witnes-
sed the greatest and most valuable i'm
proyements which have taken place
in our agriculture tho invention and
adoption Of improved implements, and
the introduction of nearly all our most
esteemed varieties of domestic animals.
| might advert to other important
changes which have occurred within the
recolleclion Of men who still live
changes which have vastly affected the
general condition Of nations, in respect
10 their industrial, social, and political
relations The successful application
Of steam. for example, though of quite
late date, has become absolutely essen
tial TO our every day business. BY the
use Of this powerful agent, man has ac-
complished objects which but a few
years ago were deemed altogether be-.
yond the scope Of human power. Dis
tant countries and continents have been
brought near together. The iedum,
and, in a good degree, the uncertainty
and danger, Of a voyage across the Att
lantic are done awsy-lhe distance be-
ing travelled in as many davs as il for>
~erly ION the average) required weeks.
Not less wonderful are its results on
land. A quarter Of century has hard,
y elapsed since its introduction to our
country as propelling power for land
vehicles; and yet. within that brief space,
we have seen it completely revolution
ize our whole system Of travel aud
transportation. Journeys are performed
in asmany hours as were formerly rcquir-
ed days. without any Of the sacrifice OF
comfort. and al trifing expense, COM
pared with what was before unavoid-
able. In reference to the dispatch and
economy of transporting the products of
the country to market, the advantages
Of this mode are not less striking.
1t is obvious that these improvements
are of great importance to agriculture.
Whatever facilitates transportation, or
increases demand, stimulates and remu>
nerales production. Your people have
shown highly commendable enterprise
in this direction. For while your ter.
ritory was deemed isolated and shu,
out from these Improvements by insur-
mountable natural obstacles but the
fiery chariot now rushes through your
mountain gorges, and your state actual
y presents some Of the most important
avenues of communication between the
sea- board, the lakes, and the great West.
II one Of you had dreamed this but a
few years ago, all the soothsayers would
have been astonlshed al its sirangeness
Sill later, las it were but yesterday, }
man has achieved another important
triumph. That mysterious and potent
principle, electricity,-which but a few
years since it was believed to be almos,
Implous 10 attempt TO control or Direct
has been subjected 10 his command, and
with the swillncss of lightning is made
TO carry his ideas over thousands Of
miles The advantages Of this achieve>
ment are of as great Importance to ag.
rIcullure as TO any other interest.
Formerly, when news was received in
our cities of an unexpected rise of our
products in foreign markets, agents
were forthwith dispatched, by express,
through the country to buy at low pr>
ces. before the holders should become
aware Of the foreign advance. Now
the arrival Of such news is instantly
sent by telegraph to all important points
in the country, and the same day, the
farmers at their own hresdes. through
their own newspapers, understand the
precise state of the markets as well as
the jobber in New York.
But it is time to speak with special
reference TO the agriculture Of your par
licular section. Yourselves and your
immediate ancestors, in general, cleared
the lands from the forest They were
found from The first, and continued for
several years, very productive in wheat
and all the small grains. and to fair ex-
tent, in Indian corn; potatoes and grass
we're yielded in abundance and tho
more hardy fruits, as apples, pears, &c,
did well The bounliful crops, which with
so much certainty rewarded the labor oI
the pioneers, soon obtained for your