Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-28
GRAIN RAISING IN THE EASTERN
STATES.


been obliged to purchase the bulk Of their
bread at the West. The enemies OF the
grain crop became masters OF our heids
long ago, so that attempts to raise wheat
have been nearly abandoned. and the
weld of corn has been far below the de-
mand for home consumption. But accord
ing to appearances change is about to
take place; the East will soon be able to
raise its own bread. All the Atlantic
States where the wheat crop has in times
past failed report that in fields in which
wheat was sown last Spring there is
good yield. In our own State we learn
that the yield of wheat in proportion to
the acres sown is satisfactory in quantity
and quality. so that our farmers feel en-
couraged to continue and enlarge their eli
forts. Careful inquiry amongst our farm
ers corroborates fully statements which
have appeared in the newspapers and re-
ports to the agricultural department con-
corning the gain in our wheat crop ana
the cheerful look for the future. Some oil
the pests of the growing wheat have evil
IDENTIFY passed away, and besides there Is
a better knowledge of the management OF
land. of the kind of soil and situation best
adapted to the crop, and the character OF
the seed to be used. At any rate, what
ever the reason may be for the change
there is no doubt that we are again to
produce our own -four instead of beng
obliged to depend upon the West for It,
The corn crop is also becoming more
reliable than it has been. When proper
" cultivated a fair return may be de-
pended upon. Nearly every farmer has
his patch, yet the yield is not enough to
supply the wants Of our people, and the
West has been drawn upon to make up
the deficiency. Should there be no unta-
yorable turn in the cultivation of this al
ticle, we shall probably at no distant day
raise in our own fields all that we can
consume.
The importance of the coming change
il one that will be readily appreciated by
our people. The struggle which our
farmers have had to make to furnish their
families with bread has been severe and
peculiarly discouraging. 1t has been diff
ficult for them to raise money to buy -four,
and then the question was always forcing
itself upon them, where is the sense
in being farmer when you cannot pro-
duce your own bread or the provender
which your horses, cattle, and hogs re-
quire ?" Young men could see no in
ducement in such situation to remain or
locate on farms, and so population de-
creased and land deprecated in value.
Now If farmers in Maine can produce
wheat enough to supply the State, the adj
vantage to them will be immense. indie
pendence will dawn upon them again.
With good crops of wheat they are certain
of q good living at least from the product
of their farms. Young men will have q
better prospect to stay at home than to go
West, for with our home markets farming
will be more profitable here than there.
It will make vast difference with the
West when the East instead of buying
wheat of that section raises enough for its
own wants and perhaps more. Land must
rise in price in Maine, vacant lots will be
in demand. Farms which have been
abandoned will be occupied. Industry
will be prosperous. The face of the
country will brighten. Villages will
spring up in the fertile Aroostook, and
our dull towns feel a new life coming
over them.
The cost of transportation is so great
between the prairies of the West and our
Atlantic cities and towns that the pro-
ducers of the West can obtain but small
price for their products at their own
doors. When the East raises wheat and
corn sufficient for its own consumption
the West must stop sending them here
This is something for the builders of rail-
roads to secure the traffic of the West,
and the constructors of elevators in our
eastern cities, to think of. With the end
OF the now immense flour ard corn
traffic between the East and West
there must be an end of many
things connected with it. The signs
Of the times indicate that for the next ten
years at least farming will pay better in
Maine than in Illinois or Iowa, and that
the advice TO Ego West, young man" has
had its day and had better be rejected
hereafter. 1t is probable that for all time
the farmer in the East, located near the
great cities and with good markets near
his door created by the growth of manu-
featuring, will be better situated than the
farmer in the West; but there IS no doubt
that If the farmer in the East can now
turn the tables in regard to the supply of
bread on his western neighbors, farming
here will be stimulated Immediately and
for several years, and there correspond
ingly depressed.
A ISLANDER REFUTED.