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

old men and boys left TO till the SOIL and
the business of farming began to go down. The war
took OF another insalment. and those who returned
had but little for the humdrum life of the farm
They ocked to the large cities go stores
some to drive horse cars, and many serve their
apprenticeship in the corner grogshop While
this depopulation was going on the young girls who
grew up not free from the spirit of restlessness
that characterized their "big brothers." They set
out for the large manufacturing centres entered the
mills sought livelihood in the workshops OF the
along the Merrimack Valley from Concord to Nashua
a corresponding decadence in agricultural pur
suits In the southern section of New Hampshire
to-day the traveller can 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 MANUFACTURER
Meanwhile Manchester Nashua. Concord, Suncook
and other manufacturing centres We're assuming
vast proportions Mill after mill in graceful
proportions; the ponderous loads of machinery
which burdened the freight trains all connecting
roads showed the marvellous growth OF the bust
Large blocks of corporation boarding houses
went up stores built and stocked to meet the
increased demands of the community, real estate
was sold in large lots; men made fortunes in
year .o and everything went on in the u most
people to their senses; the farms
not producing. provisions had to be imported
from other sections OF the country and while artif-
cia wealth accommodating the real solid basis of
community's prosperity-its agricultural industry
was disappearing, But manufacturing prospered.
Manchester became of the veliest Factory cities
i'll New England Its superior water power. its excel
lent railroad connections, and the energy and enter
prise OF its leading men, sent it to the front rank.
Nashua followed suit. Some of the very best APP
pointed mills OF the country erected and put
to their fuil speed good deal OF Boston
industry and brought satisfactory returns Nearly
ali these vast structures and solid corporations
well established before the panic struck Conse-
quently they were in condition to weather the gale.
The usual reduction in the wages paid and in the
hours Of labor was made. but in most cases it
only temporary.
AFTER THE PANIC
With the gradual disappearance Of the immediate
effects OF the financial crash these corporations
sumed in 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 an excellent exhibit. The stock sells at good
figures and there is scarcity of money The gen.
eral business in Manchester and Nashua is very good
Dry goods boots and shoes clothing and groceries.
sell brisky at y 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,
especially toward the middle of each month
pay day at the mills The shopkeeper is paid by the
Queer and spirit OF cheerfulness and prosperity
reigns throughout. or course there are hardships,
poverty and business reverses, but they fewer,
perhaps. than in the larger cities.
For a few years no new manufactures OF any ex-
tent have been started. There enough to do to
keep those that had already been III operation from
becoming silenced. 1t will be years before fair and
promising field will be open in these large manufac-
turing centres the investment OF capital
the production OF cotton wooen fabrics. II
good market be found for that which the present
mills able to produce it is all that can be
ably expected.
VIEWS OF A MILLowNER.
One Of the largest shareholders in the principal
mills OF Manchester said to the other day while
discussing this very subject
You see we have developed too rapidly for our
own good. We are like the human system in high
state of physical development. What we want Is not
stimulants, but little judcious blood-letting
have no apprehensions for the future. think
have passed the worst part of the storm and are
the road to safe commercial haven. What we need
Is more business confidence more young men on the
farms, more extensive development or the posi-
bilites OF our agricultural wealth. and we will regain
our former prosperity"
THE LUMBER TRADE.
met gentleman from Whtefeld, which is one Of
the centres of the lumber trade OF the Granite State
i'll Concord the same day. and in conversation with
him about that branch Of New Hampshire's indus
tries he said that the lumber trade had been very
profitable for few years, probably profitable
any i'll the State in proportion to the amount OF
.Of course" he said, 1--WE have not escaped the
general depression OF business that has swept
the country; in in, fact 80 far as | am in
the mountains are simple people, and
we have not felt the shock keenly as other COM
munities. Some of large lumber merchants
found it hard to make collections and many
sorely pressed ut times; but we have not had many
bad failures andI think that the trade is in healthy
o condition to-day any in the State. Some OF
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
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 viii
dispel this temporary mist The outlook for lum-
Der and farming in our section OF the State he con-
tnued. lis good; have to believe that the
worst has been realized. and that next year business
will experience perceptible stimulus
In the eastern portions of the State some thriv
ing cities and towns, such Dover, Portsmouth,
Great Falls and Exeter where manufacturing is
red quite successfully. The other large cities
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,
most of the export trade is done through Boston.
But the value of Portsmouth to the State is shown in
its facilities for landing and distributing coal and
shipping lumber, in all or which considerable money
is invested ut that point.