Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-10-26

/ But the importance of agriculture tC
the State is only in part comprehendeG
when i. is stated that it engrosses the
energies of nearly nalf of our population,
and that its products represent nearly
one halt of the results of the labor of the
people OF the State. No other pursuit
can prosper except as it is interlinked
with and built upon this. All experience
has shown that the strongest aud most
enduring State, and the most healthy,
intelligent and virtuous people have been
those where agriculture has been one OF
the most honored occupations.
Decay OF Agriculture In New England
In spite of the obvious importance OF
agriculture to the welfare OF "a common
wealth, the serious fact coufronts us that
in Maine, and indeed all throughout Now
Eng gland. and TO certain extent in all
the Older States, there is an increasing
tendency on the part OF young men and
young women 10 abandon tue rural home
steads. The evidence OF this fact is
painfully apparent in nearly all our rural
towus-particularly those where the de
velopment of their water power has not
afforded good home markets Compare
the census OF 1870 with that of 1910. and
observe how few rural towns have in
creased in population, and how many
have fallen of. Go into the rural districts
and hear the almost universal complaint
OF the reduction in ihe number of schol
ars. Observe the by no means infrequent
abandoned farms. The same state of
facts, TO be sure, exists in all the older
States. and is due 10 emigration and
transfer of population from the country
to The village and city.
Influence or western Emigration.
From lS4) to 1860 the Western l6ver
transferred large percentage OF our
population TO the fertile prairios OF the
Mississippi Valley. Every class suffered
by tLis drain ot our best blood. but The
farmers suffered most. Some idea of The
extent OF our loss by emigration is
afforded Ivy the census of 1870. from
which il appears tha, there were at that
time only 270OO persons in this State
who were born in other States. while
there were $50 900 persons in other States
who were born in Maine When il il
borne in mind that this drain OF nearly
oac-lourth of our population by emisra
ton, was largely from the young men
and young women reared in the rural
communities of this State, one source of
The depopulation OF our farming towns
becomes apparent.
The Western lever has so far spent It's
force that tor few years past Maine has
lost little BY emigration. Indeed. the
return current has set in 10 some extent,
and the truth is being disseminated, that
after all this State is about as desirable
as any other, even Tor q farmer. The
Governor stated that he is frequently re
ceiying letters Of inquiry relative 10 State
lands from Maine men who have been
settled in the West for years, and who
desire TO return TO their native State. Re
cent statistics show tha, the yield OF
wheat aud oats per acre i. greater in our
own Aroos,ook region than in illinois.
When the true test of the value
OF any region ior agricultural Pur
poses, is applied, by comparing the net
profits per acre, it is found that Maine IS
ahead OF many States possessing more
fertile soil. Proximity 10 market in
creases The value of the produc. per
bushel. aud coapensates for additional
cost OF cultivation. One tushel OF corn
in Maine Is worth as much rs four bushels
in Western Iowa.
The Climate OF Maine.
FxDarience has shown that, in spite OF