Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-21
Protection and Taxation.


In recognition of the principle that the
interests of the rural sections are as much
entitled to encouragement and protection
from government as those Of manufacturing
institutions, the legislature OF Maine has
passed law exempting from taxation for
term Of years all land set apart for the
growth Of timber, SAID land having once been
cleared. We regard this as step in tho
right direction.
Our forests in this country are disappear
ing quite too rapidly, and it is well that
something should be done to check the rapid
destruction. The ratification Of treaty Of
reciprocity with Canada admitting Canadian
products free of duty has been opposed by
lumbermen as strongly as by any interest,
because they claim they are not able to COM
pete with Canadian lumber. That would
seem to be really an argument in favor of
reciprocity, because if Canada can supply
lumber cheaper than we can cut it at home
it is manifestly good policy to buy our lum-
Der of Canada, and also because this very
check ia our home lumber business, which
lumber dealers seem to stand in such fear Of,
would act in favor Of the protection Of our
forests, which all allow need protection in
some way.
But while Vermont might perhaps profta'
bly, initiate the example of Maine in protect
ing the growing of timber, there is another
idea which it would not be poor policy al
least to consider, aud that is, Why not ex'
empt from taxation every acre Of farm land
which produces given amount Of produce
of the various kinds, that amount being high
enough SO that but small amount Of land
would be exempted from taxation at first
1t is fact that our farms as a rule are
skinned over and farmed less with an eye tC
getting the best possible yield than to going
over the greatest possible amount Of land
with the smallest possible amount Of help,
1t really seems as though spirit Of emula'
ton might be engendered in this way which
would help to gradually raise our average
standard of production. How long would il
be before the standard would be considera
bly, raised, as each We'd with the other ii
trying to make part Of his farm react
above the limit Of taxable production, tina
he might be pointed out as man who farms
so well that he escapes part Of his taxa
ton? Perhaps the plan may look littl
chimerical at first, but we believe each sub
sequent glance at it will make it assume
more practical look.
In great many instances factories Of va
rious kinds have been exempted from taxa
ton to stimulate enterprise, and what inter
est in this country more needs or deserves
be stimulated than that of agriculture
There is great field for Improvement, an
this class, the most important in the commu
nifty, is entitled to recognition and substar
tial stimulation if any class is. We hop
the farmers Of Vermont will think Of tn
matter and-yes, VIC do dare to hope-thi
some steps will be taken that shall stimulat
them to farm better and more thorough,
even if they have to farm fewer acres.
1t is cheaper on all accounts to raise an
harvest sixty bushels Of oats from an acl
than from three acres, and the same is tru
Of other crops.