Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-02-25

IMPROVE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES --"How
can n man take root, and thrive without
landP" asks recent writer in one of our
popular monthlies. Certainly no home is
so dear to the heart as home upon the
land where one has been brought up, and
where every field, rock and tree seems an
old and trusted friend The land and
home are the objects nearest the heart Of
every true agriculturist; for to be success
full he must make his mark upon his land
in such way that his home will be per-
manent to himself and children. To leave
y thing as we find it is to hide the talent
in napkin; but TO improve it is TO leave
Il monument to posterity.
There are many ways to attain success
in agriculture; but what is the true way
no man can say, as location, markets. soil,
and other circumstances have bearing on
the momentous question. Some agricul
tural writers have decried the merits of
New England agriculture, and painted in
glowing terms the advantages of the
fertile west. Many an eastern farmer
has had his Imagination fired, and his
home take dreary look, by reading the
ardent descriptions Of n fortunate one who
went west,and grew up with the county"
His land seemed poorer than ever, his risks
locked larger, and his small crops smaller
for the comparison. In anguish he looks
at his shrunken pocket book, and con-
cludes to join the throng and go west If
this is your position, farmer. let me, MS a
New England farmer, ask, have you care
fully considered your advantages and
made the most OF thems A certain dying
man said, my sons, have hidden 4
t. easure in my fields which when found by
you will make you rich" After his de-
cease, they dug to find it. and found it,
after they had carefully turned over the
SOIL in the increased value of their land.
Many of us have such treasures
Without doubt, we in the east suffer by
competition with the more fertile west :;
but we have, in certain articles which we
can raise, no competition, and from the
nature of the case we can never have any.
There is a growing demand for fruit. No
class of farm products have SO nearly held
their own. 1t has been almost impossible
to overstock the markets with strawber.
ries, currants, grapes, and peaches, and u
large bulk of the supply has been furnished
from other states, over long lines of rail
roads. Recent visits 10 some of our local
county and state fairs have convinced me
that we can raise as fine fruit here as any
where, and at no greater cost. The largest
price paid for strawberries in Hartford,
ct. The last summer, were for those grown
near the city. The finest peaches came
from what has always been considered n
cold mountain town, and the few grapes
put upon Il 9 market were sold at prices
that would be u fortune TO man who
could supply the demand but pears were
so abundant that only the best brought
renumerative prices. If, then, the small
fruits Can be successfully raised on our
granite hills or gravelly soils. with little
care and small outlay, should not the New
England farmer embrace his opportunity
Unfortunately. our villages are now usual
ly more destitute of fruit than our larger
cities.-H. Sedgwick, in Land and Home.