The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-04-07
mAINE-HER RESOURCES.

We make some extracts from the intel est
inc and instructive address lately delivered
by Mr.. Elwell:
The halfccntury finds her Just preparing to
enter upon a career of prosperity and pro-
gress. \ great future is opened before her
She is substantially 4 new country with her
means OF growth still une Xhaustet IT is not
50 much what She has done as what she NAV
and will do in the development of her great
resources, that commands our admiration.
Her sons need not 90 West to find virgin
lands. unbroken forests, or undeyeloped re-
sources at1ordmg opportunities for remunera-
tive investments.
OF the Al 500 square miles forming the to-
tai area Of the state, Il POO square miles, or
two-thirds of its whole extent are still cover
ed with the primeval woods. an extent seven
times that of the famous Black Forest of Ger
many. As Mr.. Wells tells us. ''Thc states OF
Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware
could be lost together in our Northern forests,
and still have about each y margin Of wilder
ness sufficiently wide to make its exploration
without q compass work OF desperate adj
venture" Whatever else may be said of the
state. its greatness cannot be denied Pre-
senting 4 broad base Of 226 miles to the sea.
it extends in a triangular form nearly to the
st. Lawrence, Il distance of go miles. II
has y width Of 22l miles at its widest part
and an extreme length of 301 miles, the
whole circumference of its boundaries being
nearly one thousand miles. Its territorial ex-
tent is only 200 square miles less thar
all the rest of New England combined
Inrespcct to her possibilities reproduction
manufacture and distribution, taken as a
whole, where shall we find them eXcellcd
The state is adapted by its contiguration anG
resources to the most complex life and the
most manifold industry. The climate is
healthtul, and seasons regular, the scenery
delightful. Maine is not only good state
to get 4 living init is Il good state to live
| in.
Look first at its agricultural capabilities
always moderated. We need but glance ut
the fertile valley of the kennebcc, with its
broad, green interyales, enriched by the
overflow Of the river, and its alluvial islands,
without Il stone upon them, producing with
out dressing most beautiful crops of hay and
corn. Nor can we linger over the great body
of productive land lying between the Kcnne-
bee and Penobscot rivers-a region of gentle
swclls and high ridges, well watered and
fully diversified with woodland and cuItivat-
ed liclds--a go0dly land, rich in agricultural
and mineral resources, and dotted with
thriving manufacturing villages. Come with
me rather to the Aroostook county, land
equallng in size the territory of Massachu.
sets, with 4 soil equal in depth and fertility
to that of any portion of the United States
a vast forest land, threaded with crysta
streams and dotted with pelucid lakes
Here, in one body, with scarcely any waste
spots, lie nearly a million acres of excellent
settling and timber lands. From the Molun-
kas to the Madawaska settlements on the st
John, is q distance by road, Of more than l5C
miles. From Houlton to Fort Kent is as fal
rs from Portland to Boston. Aroostook is a
state within Il State-a region distinct in its
soil, its watershed, and its geological forma-
ton, from the southern portion of Maine. II
is a gently rolling country, with Il deep lime
stone soil, the noble forest springing from its
surface attesting its strength and fertility.
Here is Il paradise for the poor man, if he
will work. If he has not money to buy land
the state gives it to him for the mere labor of
making his own roads. He may then 90 in
to the forest and hew himself out home
The soil, without dressing, will return him
twenty to thirty bushels of wheat to the acre
The settlers of Aroostook are prospecting
They went in in debt, they are coming ou
rich The farmers Of Aroostook will rank
among the most intelligent, prosperous and
independent citizens Of the state. Her rich
soil, her noble forests, Astounding with ami
NAL life, her clear lakes, her pebbly bottom
cd rivers, serving as natural canals for the
transportation of goods-all these offer a
field to the adventurous and enterprsina
young men of the state, unsurpassed in any
other section of our broad land
But agriculture is profitable only where
related industries give it a home market
This brings lis to the consideration of tho
manufacturing facilities of the state. Few