The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-09-19


ELEMENTS OF PROSPERITY.
-
The Journal is a firm believer in Agricnl-
ture and in Maine as an agricultural State,
and it is always glad to chronicle the increas-
ing prosperity and improved methods of
our farmers. Thinking that man whose
business brings him not only into contact
with Maine farmers but with those of other
New England states, must possess a fund Of
information concerning the condition and
prospects of the tillers of the soil, Journal
representative recently prevailed upon Hon.
Fred Atwood Of Winterport to submit to the
process known as interviewing. The first
question put might be called leading one,
as it related to the Importance of agriculture
generally. Mr. Atwood replied as follows
Undoubtedly agriculture is the foundation
OF general prosperity. Agricultural com
munltles are as a rule successful and prosper
Gus. NO other avocation is so sure of a good
comfortable living and a surplus for old age.
NO other pursuit is so beneficial to tie
development Of true manhood. intellectual :
and physically; nor can it be shown that the
pursuit of agriculture, prudently and intel
Ggently conducted, has been a failure Yet
" merchants out of every 100 fail. No
o5hef industry can show so good results with
the same amount of capital and ability
invested. A sharp axe and stout heart can
IN few years produce farm in the Aroos-
took timber lands that will lead to compe-
tence. 1t has been done, it is now being done
and 1t can be done by any one who will give
the necessary energy and push. True it de-
mands work, but no more than the mecnan-
ical pursuits, nor does it require so large an
outlay for tools and outfit to start a farm as
does any mechanical pursuit.
To-day the whole world is waiting for
the result of crops-cotton, corn, wheat.
beef, and pork. These are of more import
ance in determining the general prosperity
than all other productions. The surplus to
go abroad indicates the amount of balance
that will come to US. 1t determines what
our importatlons can be, and provides for
the expenses of the nation, and for reducing
our public debt. Every manufacturing
interest, whether of cotton or wool fabrics
of iron or steel, wood or other material, is
directly dependent upon tie results of agri-
culture. Telegraphic appliances, telephones,
fast mail trains, the finest intellect of ex-
perts, aided by astronomical observations,
are used, and hourly in use, to determine
the probable results of crops. Wall street OF
New York, as well as all the money centres
are moved by crop prospects. The ability of
country to develop its resources is Deepen.
out bread the wheels of all industries must
stop. Decreased productions, increased
value, causing increased cost of living,
which later enhances the price of labor, this
increases the cost of the productions of labor
and of necessity reaches the consumer at
last, thus showing conclusively that prosper-
ity depends upon agricultural success, that
agriculture is the rock on which national
prosperity is built
JoURNAL-What of agriculture in Maine?
Mr.. ATwooD-Maine without question
has many claims as an agricultural State,
and especially for mixed hnsbandry. The
West has its level prairie, which is capable
of being handled in large tracts and produc-
ing large crops, but as VIII de the average
will not equal Maine. The cost of cultiva-
ton per acre may be less in the West, but
the value of the product is equally so, if not
greater. The same amount of capital and
ability in Maine will produce quite as much
profit. Few Maine farmers have the capital
necessary to show her best results. The
time has been when farming was not looked
upon here with much respect as a calling.
The smart boys must seek Professorship,
as farming did not require brains. Time has
changed this in large degree and the change
is now more rapidly gotng on. Famers are
better read, study more and are becoming
more scientific. Newspapers devoted to ag-
riculture are much improved, and are more
in demand. In fact, all the papers ara COM
PEELED to devote space to the agricultural in
terest, necessarily increasing that space year
ly. village and city readers are interested (;
the merchant, tired of his slave life, reads
with pleasure, and many are building their
home on the farm, as a more certain invest
ment for themselves and family. 1t is evil
dent thatno calling is progressing with more
Strides than that of aOfiaJIlturaI re
Agricultural Colleges, Boards of Agricul-
ture, scientific works are to day supported
and valued to a higher degree than ever
before, Maine is favorably situated as an
agricultural State. Railroads are being ex-
tended. Water communications hold in
check railroad transportation charges. Its
nearness to water affords opportunity to take
advantage of a sudden advance, and the in
creased production gives Maine a voice.
The soil producing crops are unequaled
in quality by any Western state. Horses
grown on Maine soil are sought for their well
known endurance. Beef and mutton, fowl
and eggs, grown in Maine command market
and price unknown outside of New England.
Maine fruits are preferred to those of
Massachusetts for flavor and keeping quail
ties. No State can produce milk of sweeter
and more nutritious quality, and with the
education which is being rapidly developed
our Dubter is Delng Songht IOf. Maine now
furnishes many hotels and families in Boston
with gik-edge butter. Our dairy products
are rapidly improving in quality as well as
quartity. In fact, Maine has market at
her door. The large annual increase of
summer visitors is another element of pros
perity. Farm houses are sought by these
visitors, Chus making market on the farm.
Maine now makes large shipments of ice
to other sections, as well as supplying sum-
mer resorts. The increased facilities of the
railroad and steamers are not sufficient to
accommodate the travel. Our rivers and
bays are alive with steam and sail yachts.
The hotels are crowded. Many find it
impossible to give the entertainment our
summer visitors are ready to literally pay
for. Maine has future that no other
state has. Her water powers are unequaled
in convenience and capacity, and these are
being utilized. The Penobscot above Ban
gor will soon furnish power to support
population of 100000. Our mineral resourc-
es are being developed, with an assurance
of success. Our growth is not of the mush-
room order of the West, but sure, steady
growth. And to those of our people who
engage in agricultural pursuits there is a
certain assurance of success to all who exert
the same care, intelligence, and push requir-
ed in other pursuits. Belfast Journal.