St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1871-04-21
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d. RoIs, WAsHINGTnS Co, ILII>oIs


of New England - which, by its whole
sale dcnunciation Of ''thc West does
great injustice 10 that extensive scope OF
country, | deem it but proper to pen
brief reply for publication in your jour
nal The correspondent referred TO,
having Travelled over part Of Northern
Iowa and Nebraska and been Il resi-
dent therein for the limited space Of two
years, presumed Ia condemn ''the West
IN toto, by reason of a short crop or two
that have fallen under his observation in
those comparatively unsettled and unde-
sirablc localities. lie seems to be con-
stitutcd for natural grumbler who be-
coming tired Of hard digging Oh Spring
field hill, rovcd West, expecting to find
a ready-nadc fortune, without Tie pre-
requisite of working for it in honest, pa
ticnt cultivation OF the soil He has by
his own confession, Travelled more than
he has toiled-grumblcd more than grub
bcd-and is probably one of that class of
persons that lounge about village grocer
les, looking for something advantageous
to turn up, instead of entering piece of
land, and then improving it by hard and
well directed labor. Like s'grumbler," |
am New England man, and presume
to know something about New England
life and agriculture. But having lived a
quarter Of century in the West, | am
prepared to draw a fair comparison be-
tween the proftabencss of farming, in
the sections referred to, as well as other
things particularized in ''gramblcr'a'
communication.
In regard to school and church iacili-
ties, it is enough to say that ample pro-
vision has been made everywhere in the
West for the education OF the rising gen.
Grafton; and that the gospel is preached,
and the Sunday School is kept up, in cv-
cry nook and corner of the land So
cicty is everywhere respectable, and
crimes are no more frequent West than
East of the Allcghanies. The people, by
honest and patient industry, are becom-
ing wealthy-which tie statistics of the
various western states show beyond dis
putc. In proof of this, let "grumblcr,
or any ''other man," but read the census
reports of Illinois, for instance, or of his
own adopted state, Iowa. The unpar-
allcled growth in wealth and population
of thcsc-as well as other western states
in the last decade, gives the lie direct
to all assertions based on ''grumbler's''
slight experience. Statistics arc ''facts
and figures" not to be gainsaid, which
enable one to draw a just conclusion as
TO the healthiulncss of a country, and
the general proftableness of It's industry.
| am an Illinois land-holder, but have nc
land to sell as 10 the profits arising
from its cultivation pay Il better per cent
than the lawful rate Of moncy-loaning.
The soil of most of the West is OK
trcmcly fertile, requiring no manuring to
realize therclrom Il profitable return. Il
the surface docs not contain wood fol
i,,,l ,lorn -
coal beneath for the owners use anG
comfort. The winters are mild and short
with but little frost and snow to hinder
the pursuit CT outdoor operations. Lane
clearing, house building, &c.,-and not
OF sod matcrials-arc carried on throunl
all the winter months, to great advan.
tage; while the New Enelandcr is vast;
ing his time and energies in shovcline
snow, and in other improbable but nee
essary occupations. At any time, dur.
ing the past winter, in this latitu lie, farm
crs could plow the ground. if desired, anC
carpenters could pursue their calling {;
few days i'll Dec. cxccptcD without froz.
en- fingers. Oat-sowing commenced tho
first of March, and blowing for corn i
now in full season. Winter wheat
which was as green as Green Noun.
tain spring pasture, during the entire win
ter-is now knce-hieh, and volunteer
oats from last years crop in many a field
having lived through the winter season
promise Il rich harvest without the usua
labor Of putting in the crop in spring
Fruit trees, strawberry vines, &C., arr
now clothed in a full robe Of blossoms
seeming the air with sweetest fragrance
The profits OF western farming, aide,
as it is by all manner Of improved ma
chnery, are in fact m.neaSe. | know 0
many a man who, commencing as a rem
ter few years ago,-giving the usua
rental Of onc-third of the crop.-is now
the owner OF Il fine farm, and happ,
manipulating made all he possesse. b,
prudent tiling Of the soil. This coun,r,
is thick with eastern men, and it is a rare
thing to see one selling out and returning
to the land of his nativity. Ifhe sells a