The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-04-04
"AMER1CAN FARMING 1NrEKrsrs.r


culture proves as successful in aiding
American farmers as has the similar de-
partment in France with the French
husbandmen, the wisdom OF ITS creation
will be unquestioned.
THE small farmers in France, who
constitute the great bulk Of the sgricul-
tursl population, are well veTsed in the
economics of their profession, as well as
in the means to be employed TO attain
the best results; and farming there has
been reduced to a science. This has all
been accomplished not 80 much by per-
sonal experiment and experience as by
the systematic work OF the agricultural
department.
"Both Germany and France have long
been ahead Of this country in establish
ing such department, while the I'M
portance Of the agricultural interest are
certainly no less here than there. There
are over 600 600, 900 acres Of land under
cultivation here, worth more than $40,
000, 900, 900. Ten millions of people are
employed in farming, three times as
many as are engaged in manufacturing
and mechanical pursuits, There are
raised annually over 500. 900, 900 bushels
OF wheat, one-fourth of the wheat crop
Of the world, and 1000, 900. 900 bushels
of Indian corn, over five-sixths OF the
worlds crop. The hay product OF the
United States amounts an $40, 900, 900
tons annually, and the butter output is
over 900, 000, 900 pounds.
1.-The intelligent utilization Of what
are regarded as waste products, diversi-
fication of crops, adapting the latter to
various conditions Of the soil, fruit cul-
ture, stock-raising and poultry farming
are the chief directions in which Amer
lean farmers may extend their labors
with profit to themselves and benefit to
the country; and IL the new department
shall afford practical aid in these lines,
it will accomplish great work"
Right in the line concerning local al
fairs is the new Vermont bureau OF
Agricultural and Manufacturing Inter
est, of which Col. Forbes in the Boston
Journal, has this to say 1.-THE Legis-
lature in 1888 passed an act creating q
commission to investigate the agricultu-
raj and manufacturing interests OF the
State and devise means to develop the
same. The object of the bill is to ascer-
tain what can be done to secure immigra-
ton, or at least prevent emigration from
the State. Under this bill Governor
Dillingham; appointed Hon. A. B. Valen-
tine OF Bennington, Commissioner, Com.
missioner Valentine has prepared and
distributed among the tax payers Of the
State some 65, 900 blanks asking for in
formation as to the extent of the States
resources, the extent and value OF farms
and farm products, cost OF labor, extent
OF unused land, value and capacity OF
manufacturing establishments, mineral
resources and other facts which will en-
able him to act iutelligently In making
up his report to his next Legislature.
These blanks are to be collected by the
Listers on or before June / and forward
ed to the Commissioner. The Commits
sioner will make compilation Of the
returns from the various towns and
compare them with similar data fur
nished by other States. He is required
to formulate bill providing for the es-
adjustment of a permanent commission
to continue the work.
"Vermont has suffered more in the
past than any of her sister States by the
emigration of her sons to the West. For
the last hall century there has been an
annual exodus of thousands Of farmers,
mechanics and business men from the
State to all parts of the Union. The
natural increase in population each year
has barely sufficed to make good the loss
caused by this migration of natives of
the State. 1t is estimated that fully
200, 900 native Vermonters are residents
Of other States at this time.
1.-THE last census gives the number OF
natives of Vermont living in other States
and Territories as 10000.
"Thus it will be seen that in 1880 more
than AZ per cent. of all living Vermont
ers resided in other parts Of the country.
The foreign-born population OF Vermont
in 1880 was 40.959.
1.-THE percentage Of increase in the
population of the State each decade
since 1890 has been as follows 1870 to
1900, 80 per cent; 1900 to 1910, Al per
cent; 1910 to 1920, 8 Z per cent; 1920 to
1880, 1879 per cent; 1880 TO 1910, per
cent; 1910 to 1850, rs per cent, 1850 to
1860, O.Y per cent; 1850 to 1870, 40 per
cent; 1870 to 1880, 0.5 per cent. There
has been heavy emigration from Yer
mont to the West since 1880, and 1t is
hardly probable that the census of 1890
will show any increase in population
over the figures OF 1880. But there are
indications that the tide of emigration
Westward has reached its height and
that henceforth Vermonters will leave
the State in less numbers than in for
mer years.
vermont has as good and productive
farm lands as any State in the Union,
and her agricultural products, both In
quantity and quality are unsurpassed by
those OF any other State. The butter
production (25, 900 900 pounds per an
NUM-, the maple sugar crop $4,000, 600
pounds each season., the valuable horses
raised every season, and the annual crop
OF hay. grain, apples and other farm
products harvested from year to year
demonstrate that the agricultural re-
sources of the State are Of character
which bring good financial returns to
those who remain on her soil.
There has been a marked increase Of
interest shown Of late among the farm
ers Of the State in several branches Of
farming, especially in horse breeding
and dairying. Better horses are being
raised and finer quality OF butter pro-
duced today than ever before. The
sheep breeding and wool raising inter-
ests are slowly improving.
1.-THE material resources Of the State
are also being developed in mountains
Of marble, granite and slate throughout
the State. There are vast forests OF val
liable timber to be cut and manufactur-
ed into lumber and woodenwarPs. An
immense water power awaits utilization
for industrial purposes. Thus it will be
seen that a State Commission of the
character provided for IN this bill can
be made OF much benefit and value to