Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-06-08
Sarm Copies.
VERMONT AGRICULTURE.
HON. r, D. DOUGLAS THIRD ARTICLE IN
THE RUTLAND HERALD.

=
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
l assumed in my last article that If we
increase the profits of farming in given
locality, we thereby increase the market
value of its farm lands, and that the
question of profit or loss in farming OPP
erations is the financial barometer which
will indicate the prospective demand for,
and probable price for which such lands
will sell when thrown upon the market.
If a mill, factory or quarry can be run
at great profit, there will be an active
demand and ready sale for it at a satisfac-
tory price. If bank pays large dividends
its stock will be sought for by capitalists,
and advance in market value. Farm val
ues are governed by the same laws. The
present downward tendency will not be
checked and an upward movement inaug-
urated until the profits derived from our
farms are increased. This may be brought
about by an advance in market values of
farm products, by an inflated currency,
or like improbable causes. The only ra-
tional solution of the problem is found
in an improved and progressive agricul-
ture. What, then, are the chances for
improvement in real estate values in Yer
mont?
l have said that the virgin soils of
western Vermont were, in their early
history, quite as productive as the best
farm lands of the West, for grazing and
wheat growing purposes. Once restored,
we may compete with the world in those
agricultural productions which are adapt
ed to our climate. Their restoration
should be as laudable an object of emula-
ton and intelligent application as has
long been the breeding of superior blood
ed stock, while the financial returns may
be more uniformly satisfactory. The
average yield per acre of our titled lands
is even now much above that of the
Western States. But large yields, on
comparatively small areas, are no evil
dence of good farming, but rather the
reverse. A premium crop on one acre,
produced at the expense of dwarfed
production on the balance of the entire
farm, is neither praiseworthy nor profit
able.
The chief difference between Eastern
and Western farming is found in the fact
that in the West entire farms are cultivat-
ed, while here the manure and care are
usually bestowed upon a few choice acres,
while very large proportions of our farms
are entirely neglected. If all of our ara
BILE lands were cultivated in connection
with rational system of crop produc-
ton, and the plant food thus secured
carefully returned to the soil, we should
soon rival our Western cousins, not only
IN yields per acre, on the comparatively
small areas now cultivated, but on the
average yields per acre of entire farms.
We have nearly equal facilities for the
application of labor-saving machinery,
while we are much less liable to suffer
loss from unfavorable climatic condi-
tions, worm and insect pests and diseas-
es peculiar to farm stock. We are also
geographically nearer the great markets
OF the world The surplus productions
OF the country must necessarily seek the
maritime markets for transportation
abroad which, with just interstate COM
mercial regulations, should be consid-
Grafton greatly in our favor. Yet, with
all these advantages, it is singular fact
that farm lands are very much cheaper
here in proportion to their actual value
for farm purposes than in most sections
of the West
am aware that my assumption with
regard to actual farm values may not be
accepted by those who have not investi-
gated the matter. But my conclusions
are based upon known facts. The soils
OF Champlain valley are remarkably uni
form in natural characteristics and pro-
ductive capacity, and there is much
smaller per cent of worthless lands than
in most other sections of the East.
In mingling with the farmers of the
State, observing their methods and in
curing with regard to financial results,
| find individual farms yielding a net in
come representing six per cent interest
on valuation of at least 500 per acre.
These results are obtained by men who
would not claim, or admit, that they were
in possession of the skill of an A. W.
Cheever, whose Spine Hedge" farm, nat
urally much less productive than the av-
erage soils of western Vermont, carried
of farm stock one mature animal per
acre, produced an average of 30 pounds
of butter per acre, and yielded gross
annual income of 500 per acre.
Neither would they claim the scientific
and practical skill of DIR. 7. II. Hoskins
of our own State, whose little farm of
10 acres has returned for series of years
an average gross income of over 1925 per
acre, and who finds it profitable to use it
for agricultural purposes, while it will
command from $500 to $1,000 per acre, if
thrown upon the market in the shape of
hill l1t,