Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-05


shall be excepted from said conveyance and
from the operations of this act all lands set
apart and designated for settlement under
e1ist'ng laacS.'
"By subsequent act of 1868 chap. GOA the
preliminary conditions of the first act above
cited were repealed and the Governor of the
State was thereby authorized and empowered
to transfer and convey to the European &
North American Railway Company, all the
timber and lands belonging to the State situ-
ated upon the waters of the Penobscot and
St. John rivers, to be used by the company
to aid in the construction of its line of rail-
way as contemplated and provided for in the
foregoing act, subject to all reservations con-
tained in the obligations imposed by said act. ,
"Under the authority of this act the Govern.
or made deed to the corporation on the
thirteenth day of May, eighteen hundred and
sixty-eight, the effect of which depends upon
the construction of the act authorizing it.
"Cnder and by force of these several acts,
resolves and deed the railroad company now
makes claim to all the timber on all the lands
belonging to the State at the time situated on
the Pcnobscot and st. John waters, includ-
ing those set apart as aforesaid for settlement,
and also claim that as to most if not all the
lands so set apart, certain irregularities or
DEFICIENCIES exist in the proceedings, whereby
signated for settlement under existing laws
is rendered unavaing, and that therefore the
grant conveyed to the company all the set
Ting lands not already conveyed to settlers.
"ln pursuance Of this claim the company
have put in defence and therefore resist the
proceedings commenced under resolve of 1870,
chapter l68. for the portion of townships No.
II and Is, X. Z, being Fort Kent and Walla-
grass townships, which proceedings have for
this cause been arrested, and have also grant
ed permits to cut timber on townships No. II,
Range 3, No. Is, Range 3, and No. 8, Range
5, west from the east line of the State, all
OF which townships are among the number
set apart as aforesaid for settlement. The
parties permitted on townships No. IL, Range
3, and No. 8, Range 5, having commenced
operations under their permits, the Land
Agent at once laid the matter before the Gov
ernor and Council, and notice has been given
to the parties that they will be regarded as
trespassers and treated accordingly, if they
persist in their operations as it is understood
they are doing"
Proceedings will Immediately be taken to
determine and protect the legal rights Of he
State in these lands and the timber thereon.
AGRICULTURE.
1t is source of regret that so many young
men, well situated in the country, are allured
by the success of the few who have exchanged
the farm for the city, and with eyes closed to
the failures of the many, are crowding into
the large cities. OF these, few will succeed
others will be doomed to disappointment and
poverty, and some, alas will fall victims to
the vices around them, and drag out q short
but miserable existence in shame and infamy.
This aversion to farming in Maine is in
fact the result of false education by which
many young men are made to believe that it
is an occupation to be avoided above all
others, but am inclined TO the opinion that
much of it lies in the fact that we do not ap-
preciate our agricultural advantages and re-
sources.
The establishment and increase of manu-
featuring operations, now SO happily engag-
ing the attention of our people throughout
the State, will increase the demand, at re-
munerative prices, for such products of the
farm and garden as cannot be brought from
abroad, to supply the local markets. This
demand has already doubled the value of
farms in the vicinity of large manufacturing
establishments in the State.
1t is well known that in the older portions
of the State we have large amount of good
land, and many excellent farms; but the fact
is not generally known that we have in Aroos
took county alone, hundreds of thousands of
acres of farming lands unsurpassed in this
section Of the country, and scarcely rivaled
on the continent. A recent visit to this county
and ride of more than two hundred miles
within its limits, more than confirms my form
er opinion Of its vast capacity for agricultu-
raj products. The county contains more than
four millions of acres, one half of which,
equal to twenty thousand farms of one hun
dred acres each, is good farming land. On
such of these lands as have been cultivated,
" NJ
prices.
The soil in this county is especially favora~
bic to wheat growing, yielding. by ordinary
cultivation, more per acre than the average
OF wheat lands in the West, and capable of
producing enough to supply the present de-
felt in the State; thus saving very large
sum that is now sent away to pay for flour
and its transportation. There is probably no
place in the country where young man with
small means can find, all things considered,
more favorable location for farming purpo-
ses than in this county. A railroad through
the best portion of the county cannot long be
delayed. and, in due time, this will become
by far the richest agricultural section of the
State. No occupation secures more of all
that tends to make life pleasant and happy,
than farming, and no State furnishes advan-
tantages over our own, sufficient to warrant
farmer with fair prospects here, in incurring
the risk of attempting to do better elsewhere.
MANUFACTURERS.
The abundance and low price of our water
power, the cheap sites for building purposes,
the facilities for cheap living and our
healthy climate, all combine to make Maine
one of the most desirable places for manufac-
turing enterprises.
The gradual melting of the snow in our
northern forests, where the most of our riv-
ers take their rise, ensures abundance of wa
ter until late in the summer, in the dryest
seasons, while the large number of lakes
which are the sources of these rivers, seldom
fail to furnish sufficient supply of water in
the severest drought. Should occasion re-
quire our water power can be cheaply and
largely increased, by raising the water in
these immense inland reservoirs to be used
when other sources. fail.
Maine must eventually become great
manufacturing State. If the present genera
alton fails to grasp and apply the conditions
of success, those who come after will be wiser
and reap the reward. Our splendid opportu-
mites will, sooner or later, be appreciated
and applied. The interest now being mani
Tested in this subject throughout the State is