The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1883-11-15
Prosperous Farmers.
WHAI TIE GOVERNOR OF MAINE
MS pEnpI

WIiAI TIE GOVERNOR OF MAINE SAYS OF
HIS PEOPLE.
COY. Robbie while in Boston last week was in
terviewed by Il Herald reporter upon the con-
flicting statements regarding the agricultural
interests of Maine. lie found the Governor Il
firm believer in the prosperity of our farmers
and he gave the reasons for his belief at length.
GOV. Robe said:
There are about "a 900 farms in Maine. and
about one-haf many men are engaged III
farming i'll manufacturing and mechanical
operations. TO supply not only their own
wants but those of twice their number engaged
i'll other pursuits, gives the farmers an excel
lent home market. and one which improves
every wear. for the manufacturing industries
employ more and more people, who must be
fed, and the great and increasing influx of Wis
itors and summer residents along the extended
seacoast and at the interior resorts also furnish
most acceptable means of obtaining ready
money for the products of the soil. Special
branches of agriculture, too, are being develop
ed. Aroosook is famous for its potatoes, which
are largely turned into starch in the factories of
that county, and. though sold for small price
compared to what they bring in Boston, are so
readily disposed Of. the risks of keeping and of
market fluctuations being avoided, that they
aIe profitable crop. In some towns, Cape Eliz-
abeth for example. market gardening is be-
coming an important branch. More corn
ami wheat are raised. The dairy interest. too,
is advancing in Importance. Then the canning
of fruit and vegetables is of immense impor-
fance in providing market for our produce.
In the last season 10000 900 cans of our prod
ucts were sent TO market. Il Think said the
Governor, "Our farmers are doing well and are
satisfied.
IRE FINANCIAL ASPECT.
at was understood. Governor. that the
grcenback craze. from which Maine has but
recently recovered, was largely due TO the
financial straits in which large part of the
farming people found themselves high taxes,
mortSagcd farms, and the like. Have they re-
covered from this also:
There are many cheering Indications" said
Col. Robe ''that the pecuniary condition of
the farmers is much improved. Only 20 years
ago the deposits i'll the savings banks were only
81 600 600; now they ar 100000 600 and these
banks are not a few large concerns, but are
scattered all over the state. In my own town,
which is almost wholly devoted to agriculture,
Il savings bank was established only 10 wears
ago. II has now deposits of S1S6,O00, which Is
in large part the surplus earnings of the farm
ers Of the place. In 1850 the total municipal
indebtedness was about $1,000 900. This has
been reduced by about $1,000 900, and the re-
duction. il should be noticed, is largely in the
debts of the farming towns. To tell the re-
durtion Of individual indebtedness would not
be 30 easy. But, while this has been going on,
the towns have spent money with full rs much
freedom a. before. Their buildings have been
improved, their schools have not run down.
their roads are a> well kept engines have
been bought and many things done to show
that money Is more plenty.
BETTER LINING.
is the rule among The farmers. In going
through the country towns the farm buildings
are seen to be in better condition and more tidy
aspect than few wears since. The barns are
larger. and are well filled The people enjoy
more Of The comforts and even luXuries of life.
There are more musical instruments and
sewing machines and the like in the houses
and a most wonderful increase III the number
and improvement in the quality OF tn labor
saving implements on the farms.
TIE WORK OF TEE GRANGE.
You are at the head Of the Maine State
Grange. believe. What is the condition of
that ORDER:
There are now about 225 oranges in the
state, with an active membership of some -.
eco. They are most numerous in Waldo COM
ty. where there are p. We have made a gain
of 1000 within year. | believe the grange has
been of vast benefit to lis members and to the
whole community. The granger learns not on
ly The ideas Of others, but how to express his
own. 1t is a good school. | believe farmers are
The best men for public stations, and the grange
la great help in training them for it. The soci-
al element is an important one. and what little
secrecy there Is about the order hurts nobody
The good the organization has done in this
state is not likely TO be overe>tmaed
Another thing should be spoken Of said
the Governor. 'and that is the great improve
mrnt in our cattle. The WORK Of such men as
Mc>>r> BOdwcll, of lIaowel and Burleigh of
Fairfield, Col. Mattocks of Portland, Orestes
Pierce OF Baldwin and Others has been OF i'm
mrn>r value to the state. BY their importa-
tOnS from abroad and careful breeding. Maine
stock has come 10 the front. Stock rai>ers from
the West, a. far a> Missouri even, come here to
buy animals for their herds, and they have 10
pay good prices, too. OF course there is Il
corresponding rise iii the general average of
our farm stock. the fairs this fall showed"
Then you think the outlook good:"
IA said. think our farmers are. aud have
future j. bright one. The railroads are bring
ing nearer outside markets. while those at
home have steadily improved. Our crops were
good, on the whole, though the drought damag-
ed some of them; and. with more money in
their pockets. more comforts i'll their homes,
improved farms, and the advantage of better
methods and the newest implements for work
ING them. why should not those enga ged in the
oldest and most honorable of human occupa-
tion> be happy"
COY. Robes words are not given literally
but with substantial accuracy. Apart from
th> special interest. he looks upon the future
of hl> State a> full of promise. One-half her
territory. much of ii the best, is still unOccupi-
ed by man. There has been reaction from
the depressed condition of Il few years ago, and
There i, no reason why Maine should not grow
and prosper. If she does not, ii will not be for
any lack of care or eNcrtioh on the part of her
Governor.