The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-21
saving Of an untold wealth Of fertilization +
the whole State.

saving Of an untold wealth Of fertilization to
the whole State.
Perhaps We may be pardoncd Q single
allusion to the recommendations oGthe Board ,
Among the measures urged by it, and last
are adopted by the Legislature, is the Scicn-
tifc Survey Of the State, now successfully
entered upon. 1t is too early to spcakmuch
Of its results, but We cannot refrain from
mentioning single item. The researches OF
Prof. Hitchcock show that coal cannot exist
in the town Of Perry for the reason that
the rocks there are older than the coal for.
nation hence, If coal were there It would
be above, and not below the rocks. Had
this fact been known few years ago. S40,-
600 might have been saved which have been
vainly expended in boring to find Il.
The money expended by the State for tho
Board Of Agriculture Tor the years 1859 to
1861, inclusive, as follows:
Per diem and travel Of members, s2.os4
Salary of Secretary. $500
Travel and incidental expenses ofsec'y. s73
s5,7s7
Average per year, for three years, l.sI9
The cost Of printing the Secretary's Re-
port cannot be precisely asccrtaincd for the
years above named, but 1t is estimated at
$4,000 annually. POP
One other point remains what claimsupon
State patronage do these organizations
present, in tho existing condition Of the coun-
try'
What is this condition? War. A war
Of unprecedented magnitude In our country,
and Of uncertain duration war involving
great expenditure. In the dense veil which
surrounds the future, one thing is sure, we
must meet heavy tdrdtion. How is this to be
done? We answer, mainly by production
production from hesoii. Manufactures in.
crease wealth by adding labor TO raw mate
rial, commerce, by changing their position
from place to place; but before either can
add cent to property, the material must be
prorided. The great work must be done by
the producer, the great burden falls upon
the farmer. During the years of peace late
ly passed, agriculture has paid half Of tho
taxes of the State. As other branches Of in
dustry become crippled, il must pay larger
proportion still. Does il deserve, ut the
hands of the state, encouragement or disco'r-
agement? Plainly, by 80 much as the re-
lance Of the State upon II is increased, 30
should support and aid bo moro literally
given by SO much rs the burdens laid upon
II are increased, by so much the moro should
It be encouraged and fostercd.
Agricultural labor Is none too attractive
or popular. There is need of encourage
mcnt in order to retain our young men with
In the State. Farmers sons have gone out
by thousands; they arc making their mark
elsewhere; they aro building up other por-
tions Of our common country, 1t is true, but
have left us, Us a State, poorer and ieebler
for their departure.
Imagine, for moment, what blow would
be given to this great interest, now the sheet
anchor Of the State, should the legislature
say, by its deeds, "agriculture is no longer
worthy Of encouragement farmers must
bring larger tale Of brick than ever before,
but We can help them to no straw" Take
away mans faith and hope and you
paralyzo him. Think too, its effects upon
our reputation abroad and especially its effect
upon the rebels at the South. Will they not
have good reason to believe us To be terribly
crippled already, and that low more
desperate struggles will completely subjugate
us.
But can the State afford il now? Yes
Neither the State nor its inhabitants are so
near pauperism that they cannot find dollar
to invest when it will bring ten, or hun.
dred, in return. We submit, rather, the
State cannot afford 10 ieithhold the requisite
aid. "Thcre is that withholdeth more than
is meet and 1t tcndeth to poverty"
January q, 1862.