The Portland daily press., 1868-10-10

Keeling prevails; and have taken some pains
10 see II it was not poor returns that caused
II. STATISTICS show that when we do try we
succeed well enough. 1t will be gratifying
perhaps surprising, to you to know. that in
the yield of the principal crops we rance 90
: much beyond the average OF the whole Uni
ted States; for example In 1855, we exceeded
the average of the States in corn by eight
bushels to the acre-wheat 23-i-rye 4-bar-
ley 2-buckwheat 10-potatoes 56-and in
most other thingsin similar proportion. These
statistics show some curious things. Wheat,
that we think we can't raise, gave us in 1866,
nve bushels more to the acre than the aver
age OF Illinois. Indiana, and Ohio, and up
wards OF three bushels more to the acre than
the average OF Penn, Delaware and Mary
iahd; while hay that we think we can raise,
2 yielded half ton the acre less than in the
other States have named. Moreover, it is
our principal article of produce-the crop of
1856 being of the market value of Sl85OO 200
| yet the yield was less to the acre than that
of any State in the whole country-viz: 8-IO
| of ton.
For one it appears to me that these few
careful statistics should stimulate to very
different state of feeling and practice from
that which prevails, 1866 may have been
remarkable year. but that such result is
possible at any time, ought at least to silence
the grumbler, and shame the sluggard.
Now there are some nferences from these
figures. lst. we see that our principal crops
are made so by large breadths not by large
yields, the tendency is to extend the area
rather than increase the fertility. 2nd the
land is not at fault. Properly treated it yields
as good returns for labor as any State in the
country. Sd. we are not yet perfect in our
theory or practice of cultivation.
| These inferences may be taken as rough
statement OF the case pro and con; and they
AFFORD the basis for the frank and friendly
suggestions which | venture to offer here.
fou will take them for no more than they
are worth.
The practical question now is to what shall
we look for means and aid to improvement
In agriculture. Let us at the outset dismiss
the thought that Legislation holds the KEYS
OF our destiny The State has been liberal
| towards Agricultural interests, andi is willing
to do more still. But as for any direct sub.
sidy, or laws Iavorably discriminating, it does
not seem to me that would be of any good eff
feet The best that Legislation can do Agri-
culture is to give it a fair field and free run |
Trade is its own regulator. Supply and de- |
mand make their own laws and we cannot |
| mend them much. The best effect of boun- |
ties and prizes take it, is TO stimulate to ex-
pertinent, and diffuse knowledge by compari- |
son and competition. But the very same re- |
suit is effected by steady market and brisk |
demand. You did not hear people asking |
for special privileges when the war came |
down on US with its hungry mouths. They |
| didn't discuss the tariff. Free trade and pro-
| lection whsted Yankee Doodle at each 9TH
er as they ,whired their wool and leather,
| and hay and cattle to the front. There was |
no lack of materials, and there was no lack
| OF means, the moment there was strong
demand. Ii Legislation can in any way reach
the demand, there is the field for it. If it
[ can by wise policy encourage related in
E0uStFAS
stimulate all handicrafts and arts of life, call
| in and sustain an active and healthy popula-
| tion it will do more for agriculture than by |
| any direct aid whatever.
What we want then is home market
close home. That more than anything else
will render the pursuit of agriculture profit
able and popular. Then will follow-react-
ing and neutrality-suspicious. in cult
ure; higher intelligence; better manners;
better arts; and when the true ends are rea-
lzed, a happier condition for society and for
the good and glory of the State.
Now there are some little matters of polit-
ical economy that we do not always think of
as we should. We talk about richness of
soil, and proclaim Thanksgivings for abund-
| ant harvests. But it requires something
more than both of these to make prosperity. |
Were it not so you would not have seen the
cotton States on the verge of ruin from the |
super-abundant crop of 1861, nor the luxuri- |
ant West looking with sorrow at her teem-
ing fields and reduced to the dire extremity
of burning her corn for fuel, because if sent
to its distant and sur-feted market the toll |
would take it all. Abundant crops tend to
10 Her prices, and in region purely agricult-
ural the market is always distant and some |
times overstocked, either of which diminshes
the profits, and both will sometimes produce
financial distress in the midst of agricultural
plenty. No such thing could happen where
. tlo,a r,oktAa of ..,l.,
sons will not glut the markets, nor will bad
ones cause distress-for prices will rise by |
limited supply, and so the farmer will be
partly compensated for waste of labor on |
spoiled fields II half crop pays as much /
as full one, there is no great loss. Now
take Massachusetts; why with her poorer
soil and her half million less acres in cult
walton than ours, does she so surpass us by |
millions of fdollars in the value of her agri-
cultural products? Because three quarters
of her working population are engaged in |
manufacture ofsome kind, leaving the farm
ers who make up the other quarter to feed |
all the rest, if they will. The great diversity
of industries in that State requires larger |
consumption than the local production. The
home market is greater than the home sup
ply. This makes the home producer master
of the situation. 1t stimulates the farmer to
devote himself TO those specalties which are
the most profitable. He is near and can
take his choice of the market. He finds
| what he can raise best and then makes the
most of his ground. 9.t a.as
1t is this variety of industries which gives
| the farmer precisely what he requires-a
| near, sure and diversified market. The GER
| tainty, quickness and variety of his sales
more than make up for deficiencies of soil
| and season. Here if we are wise enough to
see it, is one of the great compensations
| which nature everywhere affords. She is
lavish in her variety, infinite in her combi-
nations. But the key is not deeply hidden. |
Ordinary sagacity and morderate skill will |
| be able to seize upon the advantage, and |
turn to account all the peculiar circum-
stances of the situation. This should rebuke |
those who give themselves over to idle de-
| spair because they are not somewhere else
| than where they are: for the law is the same
everywhere for all the best blessings that we
must seek in order to find and knock for it
| to be opened.
We see the advantage too, of keeping our
raw material as near home as possible, to be
wrought into fabrics here to give employ
nent to all industries, to encourage native
talent and skill, and to attract a population
of diversified employment which is the very
| best encouragement OF Agriculture. 1t is
| better to bring the market to your goods than
carry your goods to the market. 1t is better
to have the consumer urgent then the pro-
ducer. b=r aa .s ss-....s. ... ..
i One evidence that you already appreciate
the fellowship of the various industries, and
their reciprocal benefits, is seen in this ex
hibition before us. You have gathered here
not merely the products of the soil, but the
products of skill not merely the beauties of
nature, but the beauties of art. In this you
testify your cherishing regard and they in so
coming acknowledge their common alegi-
gence.
1t should give you great encouragement
also that the State is now waking up to a
sense of her ''manifest destiny" as a seat OF
industrial arts. Her remarkable facilities for
manufacturing are now becoming more than
a matter of mention. Enough has been done
to show what can be. The recent Report
upon the water powers of Maine, in which
our resources are merely limited at, is al
ready doing good work. Capitalists and
practical manufactures are calling for it with
eagerness, and agents of proposed colonies OF
skilled workmen from abroad are turning
their steps hitherward. Every new estab
lishment of this kind-every step of advance
i'm there interests, will be felt directly by the
farmer Foreign capital will come into the
State and be expended chiefly in what you
supply. This will enhance the value of your
lands and waters; your timber, and stone
and bricks; your stock, and farm produce of
every kind. The Railroads too will open
living streams where there is now stagna-
tion. -aEe
The best medicine for Agriculture is the
grand progress of related industries what
the physicians would call constitutional
traatruapt'. hraeipU mn ceuaral EN-.