The Portland daily press., 1873-10-09
Unwelcome Statements.

suits is still the leading industry OF the State
and upon it depends largely the welfare of
the people, In the proportion that farming is
successful or otherwise, will the other indus
tries and enterprises of the State be prosper
Gus or languisn. Short crops in Maine
limit the means of large majority of our
people to patronize the country stores and
these in turn can send but limited orders to
the wholesale houses. Consequently the
success OF this industry is of as much conse-
quence TO every merchant and manufacturer
whose prosperity depends upon country
trade as to the farmer himself
1t is the usual, and perhaps the proper
thing, to say that, as = general thing, agr-
culture is prosperous in Maine-that its
farmers have good crops, and as a whole are
thrifty and at the close Of each year show
balance in their favor, either in deposits in
the savings banks or in permanent farm i'm
provements. As it is not our purpose to say
pleasant things or proper things when we DO
not believe them to be true, we shall run the
risk to say that as a general thing the out
look of our farmers is not so rose-colored as
our contemporaries often or always represent
it-that. but comparatively few are really
prosperous, that many just keep along while
large number are falling to the rear each
year. We should be very glad to find facts
that would lead us to other conclusions but
cannot.
1t is not our purpose to infer from the
present condition of affairs that agriculture
in Maine should be abandoned. On the other
hand. we believe that there never was time
when capital and skill used in farming would
pay better in this State than at the present
time. Markets were never better. the de-
mand never greater or surer and the means
of transportation SO ready. Men of expert
ence who have visited all sections of the
country inform us that in no part of the
Union can money be more readily realized in
agricultural pursuits than in Maine.
It is not our purpose to point out wherein
many of our farmers fail or the causes that
lead to the general unsatisfactory condition
that exists. Some, however, are so evident
that toe ordinary observer cannot fail to note
them. For instance, in many sections farm
ers rely wholly upon the same crops that
were cultivated half century ago, when the
conditions of the country were entirely differ
ent and when there were no means to bring
the cheap products of the West iuto compe
tition with the same in Maine. For general
sale the Maine farmer cannot compete
with the West in the production of wheat,
corn and other crops, and it is folly to
attempt it. Maine cannot be made grain
growing STATE, but there are many other
departments in which she can favorabiy
compete with the most favored sections. In
good seasons, Maine apples are the best in the
market and there is no reason why
her farmers with the exercise of care
and experience, may not realize hundreds
ofthousands of dollars from this single item
each year ins.ead Of doing so periodically
On the other hand thousands of dollars will
this year be sent out of the State to purchase
apples.
Nevertheless, but comparatively few are so
wide awake as to avail themselves OF the adj
vantage Of the situation; yet the traveller
through any of our towns will find now and
then an orchard that shows care and culture
which is loaded with fruit, and the thrifty
fruit grower will tell you that with sufficient
culture. good crops can be obtained every
year. Yet the State is full of orchards that
produce but half crop of ordinary fruit that
doe; not bring to the farmers of the State
quarter part of what they should realize.
This year Maine SHOULD have million dollars
from its apple crop. Instead Of this the State
will pay out thousands for supply for home
consumption.
Again, Maine pays out thousands Of dollars
annually for dairy products, while Vermont,
which is no better situated, and has no su-
perior capacities, exports hundreds of thous-
ands of dollars worth of the same. new
start has been made in the production of
cheese that promises to do wonders for our
farmers. Is there any reason why this same
cooperative principle may not De extended to
the production of butter?
The Board of Agriculture is doing good
work in practically bringing these special
topics before the farmers of Maine. They.
and the best farmers have demonstrated that
more brains and enterprise are required, and
that in no branch Of industry will the exer-
else OF energy pay better. If farming is to
be the leading employment of our people, a
new and radical departure must be made.
The current idea that prevails that any dull.
lard can be farmer must be eradicated, and
the sounder teaching that the best brain and
talent will find wider and more inviting
field for operation in this department than
elsewhere must be inculcated. Then the
young men will not desert the farm and crowd
the ranks of middle-men and non-producers.
The border counties of Maine have always
been more or less troubled with the paper
currency of New Brunswick. Years ago
when specie payments were the rule, Provin-
cal silver and bank notes were the prevailing
money. This currency was not current at
Bangor or west of there so that those who
had payments to make at Boston or wanted
money to use beyond the limits Of the border
towns were obliged to pay premium for
funds on State bank or specie. AT one
time, the Calais Bank paid drafts in ST.
Stephen money and the man who wanted
State bills or Boston funds had to paw a per
centage. Upon the Issuing greenbacks bv
the United States the regular bank bills of
New Brunswick were as good as gold, and
soon disappeared. The bright idea, there
fore, struck the directors of the St. Stephen
N. B. bank to issue lot of bills somewhat
resembling greenbacks, in the form of "orders
on y. Chapman which are promised to be
redeemed in United States currency on pre-
sentation. In the border towns of Aroostook
TINS wild cat currency has at this time nearly
taken the place Of greenbaeks as a circulating
medium, to the great inconvenience of all
parties who have payments to make outside
oi' tne Immediate locality. At length SO
great has been the inconvenience and uncer-
'Ain'y respecting the Chapman orders that the
business men of Houlton at recent meeting.
resolved not to take them for goods or money
payments after November 1st. OF course
this action will send to the St. Stephen RANK
several thousand dollars of Cbinman orders
TO be redeemed in United States cnrronou
If 81. Chapman who is a leadine ,ooro,,o..