Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-09-14

A good deal has been said and written OF
late years about the decadence Of farming in
New England, about farm houses going to de-
cay once prosperous farms heavily mortgag
ed and vainly seeking buyers, and communi-
ties being rapidly drained Of their young men.
II is with something Of surprise, therefore,
that the ordinary city man learns from Com
missioner Lorng's address at the opening Of
the New England fair Mt Manchester, N H.,
last week, that in one part of New England at
least, and that not the most inviting, agri-
culture has more than held its own for the
last 80 years. In New Hampshire, whose
harsh climate and rugged soil one would
think by no means calculated to mako farm
ing either agreeable or very profitable, this
industry has enjoyed a steady If not marked
growth. The state in fact has not only a
greater acreage under cultivation than 1t had
in 1850, but more farms and better ones
The total amount of land in farms in 1850
was 1902, 41i acres in 1880 it was 8, 721, 173
acres while their value had increased from
$50, 245, 997 to $50, S3i, $50. This gain is
represented by the additional farms, which
now as then averaged about 11G acres Some
of the further figures which DIR. Loring gives
are interesting as showing how widely the
changed conditions have forced the New Eng
land farmers from the old ruts. Hay and
wheat remain about as before, while Indian
corn and barley have considerably increased
The yield of potatoes on the other hand, has
fallen off nearly one-fourth, or from 1 1904, 9l9
bushels to 3,35S, S2S bushels. The manufact-
ure of cheese has greatly declined within
these 80 years while the amount of milk sold
has largely increased, and in 1850 reached
1879, 12S gallons The butter product and
the products of market gardening have also
steadily increased. incidentally it may be
vnantippp6 tbot tba upa Of oyap in farm, work
has fallen off nearly one-half a change not al
together in the line of the truest economy.
These figures, while they indicate moder
ate prosperity at least also point out how the
farmers of the east have lmostunconsciously
come to sec that it is only in special lines they
can succeed. The staples of the New Eng
land farms to-day are those which can find II
near market and enter into immediate home
consumption. In fine the farmers are gradu-
ally learning to exercise something of the
same watchfulness of the demands of the peo-
pile that characterize business men. He must
begin to see that he himself is business man,
with all business mans interest in knowl
edge of the current taste and the current mar
ket and the strength and weakness of compe.
tition. More than industry is needed busy
ignorance may be as ruinous as Incidence.
DIR. Loring very properly urges that to the
farmer who would succeed sound investiga-
ton and well-directod science are of the ut
most importance. The moral which he draws,
and which forms the substance of his address,
is that agricultural colleges and scientific ex-
pertinent stations should be further establish.
ed and still more literally supported This
is a matter of method, and as such may pro
woke discussion. The principle which lies
back of it, however, is one which the farmers
of New England should take well to heart -
Spljp0fed ReDUbHcdH