Connecticut western news., 1874-09-25
Farming in New England.

Agriculture is far from declining in New England, despite the occasional assertions that the native population is no longer interested in it, and that manufacturing industries have over shadowed it. The address recently de- livered by Dr. Loring, of Massachu- setts, at the New England Fair, in Providence, R. l., embodies an enthu- siastic prediction that the farmers will hold their own in the Eastern States, and contains the following noticeable words "It is not only encouraging, but it is also significant, that while the shadows are falling on too many of the great industries of New England, we have been able to call around us on this spot such striking and, to us, un- equaled evidence of the activity and energy of our farming. An accumula- tion of material wealth like this was never accomplished by declining or palsied industry" And, indeed, the mammoth fair at Providence, with it's superb array of fine stock, and of the thousand farm products which are the result of diversified and careful culture, was noble testimonial to the thrift, the industry, and the success of the farming population. Rhode Island is 8 great manufacturing State, but the manufactures there have in no sense overshadowed agriculture, and the har- dy farmers of the little Commonwealth demonstrated to their brethren from other States, by their contributions to the fair, that they were no whit behind them.
 Dr. Loring truly says that the high est prosperity of American agriculture is to be seen in those States where genuine farming and manufactures go hand in hand, and where neither four ishes at the expense of the other. That State is certainly most to be envied whose fields are covered with well-cul- tivated farms, and whose streams are lined with mills. Judging from the growing success of New England in uniting these two essential conditions, there is no part of the Union which cannot also unite them. Dr. Loring would at once solve the grievous trans portation problem by so commingling manufacturing establishments and farms that the products of both mills and soil shall find ready markets at their own doors. He declares that "we shall not have repose and satisfac- tion until this system becomes general. ' It chafes and annoys hirn to see the markets at one end of the Union and the producer at the other. He points to the rapid introduction of manufac. tories into the agricultural regions o1 the West, and shows that because the farmers and manufacturers there CO. , operate in supplying each others wants, the young manufactories there are fast overtaking the older manufactories o1 the East that they are gaining in skill and have cheap labor, needing now only capital at a low rate of interest tc give them the absolute advantage ove1 the. Eastern establishments. Whenever the West becomes formidable com
 petitor in the field of manufacturing New England will, according to Dr. Loring, fully appreciate the value ot her soil. It is largely due to the in fuence of himself, and men like him
 of culture, talent, and love for the soil that New England is learning year by year how to provide against contin gencies, and to make her ' bleak anc
 barren hills blossom as the rose.