Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-01-05
[From the New York Tribune.
Products of Vermont,
wrsr wAnpspono. Vt. Dec. 1e. ls6j

- 'aAsN71N--Nt 'e-f 49, 50
Vermont was the only State in the Union
whose population was not materially increased
during the last census decade. But three States
Z Maine. New Hampshire and VermOnt-in-
creased less than 10 per cent. The gam Of a
fractional part Of one per cent barely saved YER
mont from loss. Compared with the other
New England States, Vermont produces, accord
ing TO the last census
The most Horses. The most Wheat,
The most Mich Cows, The most Oats,
The most Cheese, The most Hops.
The most Sheep The most Maple Sugar.
The most Wool.
] The above, perhaps. exhibits too fattering
Z view, Vermont being more agricultural than the
I other New England States. A comparison ac-
I cording to extent of territory would be fairer
test Of prOductyeness though other States would
then have the advantage, because Vermont has
/ no large cities and few large villages. and no
home market for any considerable portion Of its
produce. The same extent Of territory mors
thickly peopled and nearer market would. Of
course, be made TO produce more, if equally fer
tile. But comparing Vermont with the other
States Of New England according to area, We
ind it produces the most Of everything enumer-
sted above except mich cows and hay, namely,
the ma horses sheep, butter, cheese, wool, wheat
oats, = % and maple sugar.
Coni Jed With the other New England States
according to population, it produces in addition
to these products the most barley and pota-
tees.
There are two valuable products FOR which
Vermont, according to its size, excels every 9TH
er State in the Union; producing, in proportion
TO the extent Of territory,
The mos, Wool, The most Maple Sugar.
While it thus it e1cels every other State in
wool growing. its improved sheep, it Is well
known, have borne off the highest honors in CON-
petition with the world.
The maple sugar manufactured in the state is
now nearly equal IN value to its products Of
wool. At the present price Of sugar, this pro-
duct is likely to be largely increased. The aver
age annual product since the last census was
taken has, probably, been much greater than
before
According to its population, Vermont beats
every other State in the Union in several Of the
most important agricultural staples, producing,
according to the number Of inhabitants,
The mos, Butter, The most Wool,
The most Cheese, The most Hay,
The most Maple Sugar.
It has also, according to the population. the /
most neat cattle Of any Northern State east Of
the Mississippi.
Without regard 70 population or extent Of ter |
rit0ry. only the five great states Of New York, /
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indian. snd Illinois, pro /
duce more butter. Only " ,tates-NeW York I
and Ohi0-produce more cheese. Twelve States I
have more sheep, while only four produce more /
wool Only i've States produce more hay-NeW /
York. Pennsylvania, Ohio. Illinois and Maine. .
But one State-New York, makes more maple .
sugar, Vermont making nearly four times as I
much IN proportion ts the size Of the State. The .
least Il the i've States that makes more butter, 4
Indiana, l. more than three times as large as /
Vermont and contains more than 6ye times as
many inhabitants
Il would be hard to find State that makes a
more favorable appearance in the agricultural
statistics Of the last census; aud yet 1t stands at
the foot Of al the States in the table showing I
the ratio Of increase in population. Is not this
unaccouutable? Vermonters do not yet apprS
ciate Vermont It's Young men sre net induced /
% remain At home By IT, 6ertIle sUil, It's pure
water, its green hills and It's heslthful climate.
Nearly l00.0 900 natives Of Vermont may be
found IN other States. It, small towns have
become smaller. \ slight increase in the larger
towns balances the loss, the number Of inhabi-
tants in the State remaining about stationary
Why is this SO Il is not possible that Vermont
has reached its full growth. The small towns,
where there has been loss in population. are,
many Of them. equally as good FOR agricultural
purposes, if not better, than the larger towns.
In these towns, farms may be bought for what
the buildings and fences would cost, if construc-
TED while the present high prices prevail. Is
not here field for those in search Of cheap lands
for homes With more hands to develope
them, the products Of the State, abundant as
they are, might be largely increased. II the
population were doubled, all would be as well
supported as the present number, and probably
better. When the prosperity that is sure to fol-
low cur great nationsl triumphs crowds the
ueighboring States with denser population, it
is hoped that Vermont will be better sppreciat-
ed. and its progress more worthy its merits
VI. o. II.