Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-07-19
ORLEANS COUNTY.

By the figures we published one week
ago, in regard to the population, as
shown by the count just made, it is seen
that the county of Orleans maks gain
of nearly 1000, (978). This is small,
but it is better than nothing. We do
not like to feel that the good old State,
and especially this county is being
abandoned and losing its population
and its wealth. The causes that hinder
a greater growth are pretty we'll known
to all. Our climate, the whole year
considered, is not the most agreeable in
the world. Our soil, though compare
lively rich does not equal that of the
prairie region of the West, nor does
Vermont offer the facilities and opportu-
nitlties for acquiring wealth and making
q great mark in the world, that some
other places offer. On the other hand,
we are convinced from observation that
few places, if any. afford Vermonters so
many of the comforts and blessings of
life as their native state. To those who
are willing to make the sacrifice which
all must make who bid adieu to their
native home, the friends they made in
youth, and the associations that arc
dear and will grow dearer as they last
to those who are willing to make the
rOugh-and-tumble fight necessary to win
in the scramble for success elsewhere,
we say, 90 out into the world and try it.
There will be a welcome for you here if
you decide to return. But we began to
say that this is really one of the sunny
places in the world, where any man can
succeed who would succeed elsewhere.
The soil here is not badly worn out,
even on the oldest farms, while there is
much land in all localities capable of
being made much more productive by a
little effort. In almost every instance
where our farmers are adopting the new
and improved methods of farming they
are being successful. In all parts of the
county, farms which were running down
few years since are being brought to
better state of cultivation; new and
convenient barns are going up every
year, and farm buildings, fences and
fields are being improved rapidly. If
one will take the pains to 90 about
the county, he will observe on all hands
the signs of thrift and prosperity. The
manufacturing interests of the county
are not what they ought to be, but per-
haps are about all they will be at pres
ent. owing to the distance we are from
the water and the great commercial
centers. But there is unlimited water
power in this section, much of which
should eventually come into use. We
look, however, chiefly to our agricultural
resources for success hereafter, and ouI
growth and prosperity will depend Oh
the improvement of farms and the de-
velOpment of unimproved and wild lands
There is much timbered land yet to b.
cut over for the timber, which ought t
be cleared and brought into cultivation
This is being done in some localities
There is great deal of land in ever,
town, which good farming will maxi
productive and profitable that is nov
comparatively worthless.
We suppose that there has been n
gain of native population in the county
but that the increase is chiefly of Can
adams who are taking up their home
among us. These people find Vernon
preferable to Canada, and, as a rule
come to stop. They locate in the Lar
ger villages and around the mills
Yankee families are small, and no in
crease of population can be expecte,
from the native elements until the fash
ions change. This remarkable dearth @
children in American families is on
great cause of the depletion of some {
our towns and villages. and is what wi
be the means eventually of givin
foreigners the business of the country
The remedy suggests itself. In til
years to come we hope to make bette
development Of all our resources, an
marked improvement in growth an
prosperity.