The Portland daily press., 1883-01-05


the total value of all products in 1880 was
s., 1888, 1868. Maine holds the rank of seventh
State in the Union in the value of her lumber
products, the States of Michigan, Pennsylva-
mia, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio and Indiana,
in the order named, taking the lead. The
Forestry Bulletin from the Department of the
Interior estimates the merchantable pine
standing May 31st, $780, at 475.000000 feet,
and spruce 5000, 100000 feet, on the large riv-
ers and tributaries of7our State. Consequently
with wise regulations for its use, Maine has a
prospect of a prosperous future Tor many years
In Its lumber as q source OF industry and
wealth.
The ocean, river, and lake fisheries of Maine
are becoming an increasing industry. The in-
dustrious and hardy population of fishermen
OIL the banks of our rivers. and especially those
who gain livelihood amid the dangers Incl
dent to the high seas, add much TO the produc-
tive wealth of the State, and are entitled to
the grateful consideration of every citizen.
Maine leads the column and stands at the head
of the great fishing industry of the country.
In 1880, the number of persons employed in
the industry was 1862; the number of vessels
engaged was COG; the capital invested was
US, ,454 1902; value of fishing products in mar
ketable condition was $3.739 224. The value
of the same products in 1870 was only $780,
610
1t is estimated that the number of our pop
ulation who are largely Dependent upon the
fishing industry for a livelihood will not fall
short of $4,000 men, women and children,
which is equal to about 74 per cent. of our pop
ulation, and when to the result of tkis labor
are added the expense of transportation and
profits OF handling, and it is finally in the
hands of the consumer, it represents an indus
try of nearly $7,000,000.
The gathering and storing Of ice is compara-
lively new industry in Maine, but is profit
able one, and gives employment to many.
The ice harvest on the Kennebec river and
vicinity in the year 1880 amounted to 1,000,-
600 tons, an increase of 10000 tons over 1870.
The quarrying, cutting and shipping of gran
1te IN the hands of our enterprSing citizens
has become one of the most importont indus
tries and sources of wealth in the State. In
this industry Maine leads. There is scarcely
large city in the Union whose finest public
buildings and most costly monuments do not
display the richness of our stone and the skill
of our artisans.
MANUFACTURES.
The statistics of manufacturers, which are
furnished by the Census Bulletin show a mar
velous increase in this industry. The increase
in the production of agricultural implements
surpasses every other branch. There are now
two thousand establishments employing forty
thousand mechanics, with capital of $62, 109,-
66S, and turning out implements for our farms
valued at $68, ,640,4 ,486 The number of manu-
featuring establishments in the United States,
3840; capital, So, ,790, ,223, ,506; employing o.
of products over five billions Maine stands
we'll in the list, and is becoming a leading
manufacturing State, her relative position be-
ing about the fifteenth in the Union The
number of manufacturing establishments in
Maine are 4,481; capital, $49, ,984 ,571; number
of persons employed, 52,948; amour of wages
paid yearly, $13, ,621 ,538; value of materials,
$51, 1926; value of products, $40 1925 1893.
This army of mechanics and laborers, and the
capital invested, form an interest which calls
-,
order that the rights of labor and capital
should be regul ted with regard to security
and justice. That the great interests of the
country be properly protected, and the wages
OF the labo1er made remunerative to himself,
should be the true end of legislation.
The manufacturers of our State are con-
stantly increasing, and statistics show that ev-
cry branch of mechanical industry is making
satisfactory progress. The beautiful cities of
Lewiston, Auburn, Biddeford, and the towns
OF Wateryille and Westbrook may soon have
their rivals in other parts OF the State. The
manufacture of cotton takes the lead. There
are but three States in the Union that use
more bales of cotton, but four work more spin
dies, and but four employ more persons in the
cotton mills than the State of M inc. The
growth of this department of industry is shown
by the following statistics: In 1870 the mum
ber OF looms in the State was 1902; the num-
Der of spindles, 459.772; the number of bales of
cotton used was $4,000; the number of persons
employed, 9,43s. In 1881 the number of looms
was 1898; spindles, 1924; bales of cotton,
1881; employees, 1864
AGRICULTURE.
great statesman once said Agriculture
feeds us, it clothes U.S. without it we could not
have manufactures, we should not have COM
merce; these all stand together like pillars in
a cluster, the largest in the centre, that larg-
est is Agriculture. The State of Maine fur
M al N md odx apfa
for successful agriculture, unlimited commerce
and extensive manufactures. It has an area
of $4,000 square miles or 22,40000 acres; its
settled area covers only one-half of Its territory
and measures 1885 square miles A large
part OF THIS territory is sparsely settled, 5000
square miles of its inhabited area having only
from two to six inhabitants to a square mile.
We admit there are many square miles of land
which would require extensive drainage and
costly cultivation for a livelihood, but there is
little land SO barren that intelligent labor cam
not make it valuable, and there are thousands
of acres of unimproved land in the State of
Maine, with as deep and rich soil as can be
found elsewhere where all the staple agricul-
tural products of New England can be raised,
and this with the raising of sheep and other
stock would furnish ample reward to a skilful
and industrious farmer, Weinvite those seek
ing new homes to examine the unimproved
and rich farming lands of Aroostook county
and other portions of our State, now near the
ties. In cereal productions, Maine makes
good record. The Dep rtment of Agriculture
Informs us that the soil of Maine produces
more buckwheat per acre than that of any
other State. In the yield of corn to the acre,
only six States in the Union make a better ex-
hibit, the average being thrty-four bushels
per acre, which is only five bushels behind
Michigan, the State having the largest pro-
duction. In rye, Maine is the tenth State,
and in potatoes the same; but in hay it is the
thirtieth State in its yield per acre, which is
evidence that more cultivation ands fertilizers
are needed on our extended and wasted fields.
In the year 1879, Maine produced per acre is
7-l00 per cent. more corn and 6-10 more wheat
than the average yield of these crops in the
United States. In all these staple productions
OF the farm, Maine is ahead of Vermont and
Rhoce Island OF the East, and leaves behind
her the great agricultural States of Indiana.
Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas and Iowa of the
West. In 1880 the farming industry of Maine
owned 81 ,840 horses, an increase of % per cent
over 1870, and 43,049 working oxen. Its dairy
interest was represented by $50, ,845 mich cows.
8 per cent, increase over 1870, There was also
credited to her LAC, ,527 other CATTLE The num-
Der OF sheep on cur farms wBs 565.91S 80 ner
cent. more than in 1870. The number of swine
was "a, 1863, an increase of 63 per cent over
1870 The value OF Maine farm products, in
cludiug stock, in 1863 was $33, 40 044; in 1879
$39, 100000, an increase of over IA per cent.
The grand total shows Maine to be one of
the leading agricultural States in the Union
These facts, which might be extended, should
induce immigration to our State and keen our
young men st home. The majority of Che
male population of this State, and.even of the
nation, are husbaDdmen and directly interest,"
ed in agriculture, more than half the wealth
of the country being invested in that industry.
The pioneer who uses the axe and the spade,
holds the plough and guides it through the
soil of Maine, best knows how stubborn it is in
yielding to the dominion of labor; but when
conquered, the result shows an honorable citi-
zenship, an independent home and ssgoodiveli-
hood. Ihe Swedish immigrant and other set
tiers deserve the hearty good will and eneour-
agement of the State, and he who follows the
pioneer and, by science and skill, "makes two
blades OF grass grow where but one grew be-
FORE" is a public benefactor Both are en-
Titled to the protection Of wise and generous
laws desire to emphasize the fact that the
cultivated fields are the prime source of nation
al prosperity, wealth and happiness. There is
consequently, no class of our fellow citizens
who has higher claims on our consideration
than the tiller of the soil
The demands of our agrilulturists have been
very few, and their petitions for legislation
silly satisfied. Heretofore there has been
little within the scope of legislative action that
coud specially promote the interests of agri-
culture; but as IL has become science its
claims have increased, and more should now
be done. Our National Government has wise
ly instituted and supports Bureau of Agri
culture, and it has donated lands for agrienl-
tural colleges. There are several plans before
Congress calculated to enlarge the duties of the
Commissioner of Agriculture, and to make
him cabinet officer, which may result in
creating National Departmont with sa1aral