The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-27

old men and boys were left to till the SOIL and soon
the business of farming began to go down. The war
took OF another instalment. and those who returned
had but little taste for the humdrum life of the farm
They ocked to the large cities go into stores
some to drive horse cars and many to serve their
apprenticeship in the corner grogshop. While
this depopulation was going on the young girls who
grew up Were not nee IRON tne sp. o.
for the large manufacturing centres entered the
mills sought livelihood in the workshops of the
along the Merrimack Valley from Concord to Nashua,
came u corresponding decadence in agricultural pur
to-day the traveller farm after farm actually
deserted the houses in advanced stages Of decay the
windows broken and the barns and outhouses that
teemed with the products of the years toll
crumbling to pieces.
GROWTH OF MANUFACTURES.
Meanwhile Manchester. Nashua. Concord, Suncook
and other manufacturing centres assuming
vast proportions Mill after mill in graceful
proportions; the ponderous loads of machinery
which burdened the freight trains on all connecting
roads showed the marvellous growth of the busi-
ness Large blocks OF corporation boarding houses
went up, stores were built and stocked to meet the
Increased demands of the community, real estate
sold in large LOTS men made fortunes in a
year. and everything, went on in the most
satisfactory manner. The panic came and brought
people to their senses; the farms
not producing, provisions had to be imported
from other sections of the country and while arti-
cial wealth accommodating the real solid basis OF
community's prosperity-its agricultural industry
disappearing, But manufacturing prospered.
in New England Its superior water power, its excel
lent railroad connections and the energy and enter
prise OF its leading men, sent It to tue front rank
pointed mills OF the country erected and put
to their full speed. good deal of Boston
capital found it's way to these busy hives OF
industry and brought satisfactory returns. Nearly
all these and solid corporations
well established before the panic struck. Conse
quently they in scondtion to weather the gale
The usual reduction in the wages paid and in the
hours of labor was made. but in most cases it was
only temporary.
AFTER THE PANIC.
With the gradual disappearance OF the immediate
effects Of the financial crash these corporations re-
sumed i'll most instances full time, and although
wages reduced the production went on, the
fabrics bringing OF course much smaller prices than
they had before. To-day these mills are in good
condition, and with the first dawn Of prosperity will
make excellent exhibit The stock sells at good
figures and there is no scarcity of money. The gen.
era business Manchester and Nashua is very good
Dry goods, boots and shoes, clothing and groceries,
sell briskly at q small margin OF profit. The store
keepers impressed with the necessity OF prudent
purchases, economy in their store and personal
expenses and fair dealing with their customers
Money is reasonably plenty among the trades people
pay day at the mills. The shopkeeper is paid by the
operative he pays the jobber the farmer or the pro
Queer. and spirit of cheerfulness and prosperity
reigns throughout. OF course there are hardships
poverty and business reverses. but they are fewer
perhaps. than in the larger cities.
For q few years no new manufactures of any ex-
tent have been started. There was enough to do to
keep those that had already been in operation from
promising field will be open in these large manufac
turing centres for the investment OF capital in
the production OF cotton or wooilen fabrics. q
good market be found FOR that which the present
mills are able to produce it is all that can be reason
ably expected.
VIEWS or A MILLowNER.
One of the largest shareholders i'll the principal
mills OF Manchester said to the other day while
discussing this very subject
You we have developed too rapidly for our
own good We are like the human system in a high
state OF physical development. What we want is not
more stimaiants but little }ndicious bi9od-ieitng
have passed the worst part Of the storm aud on
the road to a safe commercial haven. What we need
Is more business confidence. more young men on the
farms, more extensive development OF the posi-
bilites OF our agricultural wealth. and we will regain
our former prosperity"
LUMBER TRADE.
met gentleman from Whitefeld, which is one Of
the centres Of the lumber trade OF the Granite State
him about that branch Of New Hampshires indus
tries he said that the lumber trade had been very
profitable for few years. probably as profitable as
any i'll the State in proportion to the amount Of
money invested
"Of course" he said, 1--WE have not escaped the
general depression of business that has swept
the country; in fact, tar / in
formed. over all countries. but we up in
the mountains are simple people. and
we have not felt the shock so keenly AS other CON-
munites Some of large lumber merchants
found it hard to make collections and many were
bad failures and think that the trade is in as healthy
q condition to-day any in the state Some OF our
people have gone of after strange gods in the matter
of finances. believing that larger volume of paper
money would materially aid US in getting out OF our
difficulties; but l am inclined to believe that
the resumption of specie payments and the conse
quent settlement of all values and bases OF value will
dispel this temporary mist. The outlook for lum-
Der and farming in section of the State. he
tnued, lis good have reason to believe that the
has been realized and that next year business
will experience pcrceptible stimulus"
In the eastern portions Of the State some thrv
ing cities and towns, such Dover, Portsmouth,
Great Falls and Exeter, where manufacturing is
ried quite successfully. The other large cities
centres of manufacturing agricultural districts
in the State Peterborough and Keene, both pros
porous cities Portsmouth is the only port of entry
the State; its shipping is not very extensive, as
most OF the export trade is done through Boston.
But the value OF Portsmouth to the State shown in
its facilities for landing and distributing coal and
shipping lumber, in all or which considerable money
is invested ut that point.