The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1883-07-19
Agricultural.



From lAie number Of the kc.s lag.
Si~a farssu We make the following cx.
tract, exhibiting the views Of Mr.. Chceser
the agricultural editor who ID practical
farmer a vigorous writer. and who /. per.
sonaily well known to many Of our Yer
mont farmers
We shave IN former volumes Of tho N, H.
fagpae,. found occasion 10 sllnde 10 some
OF the differences between Massachusetts,
and Vermont farm life. and we have al.
most feared that the enchautment which
distance may lend 10 view might weigh
too heavily 10 the scale against ones own
state pgide. Massachusetts, farmers have
good markets. especially those living in
the eastern portion OF the state. where
manufacturing towns and cities are so
numerous aud so large. They also have
better railroad facilities than any other
people in the world. They have schools
and colleges that are accepted models for
foreign nations. Their libraries are great.
er in number and contain more books
than can be found in any territory Of like
extent, and they are read by more persons
than the same number would be anywhere
else in the world. Massachusetts, farmers
have good roads over which TO haul their
produce. and the facilities for obtaining
fertilizers are nowhere better. But the |
average Massachusetts, farmer is not quite
happy.
The Vermont farmer is further from |
market and bis winter is long and cold
His land is naturally fertile, but it is diff
iicult TO cultivate, and the steep hills
make transportation costly, both o7er the
farm and the highway. Vermont has no
very large cities nor do her manufsctur-
ing towns call for more than a small pro-
portion Of her farm products. Her crops
60 to Boston and New York over long
lines Of expensive roads. The farmer
whose nearest neighbors live across the
line in Canada, joining the farmers of Es.
sex, Norfolk and Middlesex counties in
Massachusetts, in supplying Boston with
potatoes, butter and beef. But while the
latter can send freight for one or two dol
lars per ton, the northern Vermont farmer
pays five or six times as much; and il he
desires to call and see his commission mer-
chant, the excess OF fare will be in like
Forty miles from Boston, men doing
business, and children pursuing studies,
visit the city daily, while trip to the
Of New England, is to many
Vermont family the event OF q life time.
And yet, the average Vermont farmer, so
far as we have been able to discover, is
comparatively happy and contented. He
is not ashamed TO be known as farmer,
nor do his wife and children consider
farm life and farm work in any way disre-
putable. There are but few rich men to
set examples OF extravaganza, nor are
here many very poor to be supported at
public expense, but there is fellowship
between neighbors that we have never
found manifested in the same extent in
sections where manufacturing is leading
industry. The farmer of Vermont If edu-
Gated and trained, is as good man in the
legislature as the manufacturer or trader.
The hands, both outdoors aud indoors.
ire largely American, and Of high order
# intelligence. Society i'll general is near.
y o; one level, without the extremes Of very
high or very low.
Public and private business is conduct
With economy, but the people in their )
ZONES have the comforts of life in degree
ar above the average in any city or large
'illage, anywhere in the world