The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-05-03

pNnS u tOthl VI l.-lUtUUU
or 774.400,000 acres. Fifty years since,
there were less than 100000 people west
of the Allcghanies. Now there are over
II 600 900, and the tide of emigration,
from foreign lands and from the Eastern
parts of our own, flows strongly aud I'M
intcrruptedly.
Were this great valley inhabited as
denscly as Massachusetts,, the densest of
our States (l37 to the square mile), it
would have population Of los, $4,000.
Did it equal Greet Britain 1884 to the
square mile) it would contain 2s3,l40,-
000 Were the density equal to that of
Belgium 1855 to the square milc) it
would contain 405,Sj0,000 souls, or over
sixteen times the present population of
the United States. Should the increase
Of our population for one hundred years
to come lie as great as for sixty years
past! we shall then have 497,000O0o.
If it only doubles once in twenty five
years, which is probably nearest the
truth, VIC shall number 4O0,OOO,OOo.
A probable distribution of the popula
tion III 1850 will DO: Tho Atlantic
states l4O,000,0O0, Tho Pacific coast
sO,ooo,ooO and tho Mississippi valley
ls0,o0O,OOO.
This great valley is not only rich in
agricultural resources, but abounds in
hidden treasures also. There is q single
coal formation in the region or basin
drained by the Ohio, embracing more
than 10000 square miles, of an average
workable thickness of 20 feet. 1t is es.
timated that this single mass which is
already accessible to railroads and
canals, would give over three tons an.
nually to every man, woman and child
in tho United States for 10000 years to
como. 1t would form a mountain over
towering the tallest on the globe, with a
base 10 miles square. 1t is only one of
half dozen Of nearly the same extent
in this country. All tho coal fields of
Europe might be taken from ours, and
not be missed.
This valley does not literally flow with
milk and honey, but it pre.eminently a.
bounds in corn and hogs The value of
the wheat crop of the United States for
1851 was only sl43OOO,OoO, while the
corn crop for the same year amounted to
1891 100000. The greatest portion of
the latter crop grew in this valley The
whole number Of sheep in tho union for
1850 was about 2l,6OO,OOO, while the
hogs numbered rising of 3o,OoO,OOO.
Most of this number grew in the western
valley. The single State of Ohio produ.
ces over 100000 annually. But, to
her credit be it said, she is fast quitting
the squealing business, aud engaging in
the more scriptural and sensible one of
shepherd. Shc now keeps over 4,OOO,-
600 sheep and grows over 100000
lbs of wool.
can but regard Ohio as one of the
best if not tho very best state in the
west. 1t is well timbcred and watercd
Good springs abound on almost every
farm. Lands in many parts of the State
are still cheap, varying from $500 to
25 90 per acre. In the olden portions
s95 and 40 is the more common price.
Owing to the increased facilities for get.
ting to tido'water tho surplus products
Of the farm, by means of railroads, lands
are fast rising in value. | knew one
farm sold short time since, flor which
tho owner paid some three years since
$40 per acre) for $50 per acre, aud re.
purchased by the seller latter some
weeks search to do bcttet) at eos per
acre. There are thousands Of acres in
many portions of the State, ESPECIALLY on
the line of some surveyed or newly built
railroad, which will advance from so to
100 per cent. in value, within five
years. Farms that one year ago sold for
s25 now readily command sS5 per
acre, and will soon reach $40.
Ohio is rapidly gaining in point Of
wealth. In 1852, she exported ont Of
the State upwards of $4,000, 900 in pro
duce, most of which must have been q
clear gain to the State.
For nine months of the year, Ohio has
a delightful climate The three winter
months are unpleasant and the road.
nearly impossible, unless on horse. back
First it rains then freezes up then
thaws and tho roads become muddy
then it rains again, and so continues fol
the winter; yet the weather is not severe
ly cold, and is SO mild most Of tho time
as to thaw at midday.
Ohio has over 1900 miles Of railroad
now in operation, and some 500 more be
ing built, besides 700 miles of canal, and
500 of slack-water navigation. 1t will
be remembered that it is less than 90
years, since the first permanent settle