The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-29
HOW THEY COME AND GO.

The census bulletin on the increase and
decrease of population In given localities IS
illustrated with map which presents the
movement so that it can be realized at
glance. 1t is very curious. In parts OF
each of the New England States and in
belt stretching from the Hudson to Lake
Ontario in New York State. in large tract
OF Eastern Virginia, in upland Georgia. In
long belt running through Central ono,
Central Kentucky and Contra! tennessee
in q region on both sides of the forty-hrst
parallel ia Illinois and Iowa, in nearly all
of Nevada, and in the Sierra counties OF
California the population is declining, not
only relatively, but absolutely. In some OF
the deTelict places. mining was the former
support Of the people and has now ceased
to flourish; in others it is agriculture which
Las ceased to be profitable. and the people
have migrated to new fields.
Ia all countries there are three stages OF
settement-the pastoral stage, the agricul-
tural stage and the manufacturing and mer
camille stage. Over half Of the United
States, from the western extremity of set
Element in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado,
to the cultivated area in California and Ore
gon. is in the pastoral stage. The popula-
ton IS sparse, and at first neither sensibly
increases nor diminishes. Presently, natu-
raj increase and increase from immigration
fills the pastures with population larger
than the growth of cattle can support; fer
tile fields are discovered and ii is found
that by tilling them larger rewards can be
got than by raising cattle; then the agrieul-
tural stage begins and farming population
is gathered.
But. after while, either the lands lose
their fertility from exhaustion or other
lands OF greater fertility compete with them
in the market for agricultural produce, AID
their occupants have 10 leave them. Many
tn ke TO manufacturing and merchant Using,
abandon the fields aud congregate in cities;
and thus the third stage Of settlement, the
manufacturing stage, begins. We see it at
two periods OF its development in this eouu-
try In New England and the Middle States
agriculture long ago ceased to be profitable
in consequence OF the competition OF the
alluvial plains OF the Central States; peo-
pie abandoned their farms and fell TO manu-
featuring. Thus we find that IN this part OF
the country two adjacent counties will offer
striking contrast; one, rural county, Is
losing population, while the adjoining
county, in which there are one or two manu-
featuring towns, is gaining it. On the
census map the counties which are gain
which are losing another; the map of New
England looks like a cbeckerboard.
The bulk Of the people of all countries
which have emerged from the DOmadic stage
is agricultural But an agricultural popula-
ton viii always be fuctuating so long as
land varying in quality is oren to settle
ment. Ohio remained stationary when her
people overlooked her western border into
! Illinois and Iowa; Iowa sent portion o,
her people into Nebraska. Kan aaG Min
nesOta; the river Stales nave more re-
Gently lost people 20 the DakofaS s. and
+ by 'hsre VIII te no more vas ant land y hiciI
4ili grow thirty bushels of wheat to lie
/ acre. year IN and year cut; when this comes
1 she agricultural population ef The country
VIII be more stable. Fac Genital States
will keep the peonie they have and w,
swell their numoer by natural irssss-sas
and Immigration Those .ssases oniy will
draw from ths asils1s which Offer a vsriety
@ Isssurees. such rs California
/ II IS sn open question whether State is
ever bensEied In tie long run BY discoveries
/ Of geld aud silver Mines OF tha precious
metals arc inVariahly short-.iyed Some Of
the European mines have bean worked for
! cenfnrIes. But In this cou1try q mine Is
generally exhausted lie q generation. And
when the exhsns.ion comes tie mining
I papUiatiOn departs aad decay t0llos
pyespsrisy. A gold mlDe IS = grand sd
sefsis efeat Ter q leealitF. Is attracts PEG
pie fIefn tar aid y .de, sud when tne nags
is exhausted some OK thsnl remail sad en-
gaze u other pursuits. ia. 1t rarely hap
pens that n're.aI region RECEIVERS the
! population AZ contained in its heyday. IL
&c Uomstock had never been discovered
the world would have been the poorer by
three Or four hundred millions Of gold aud
silver; but 1t is odds that the fertile valleys
| of Nevada would have contained more pee
| pie than they do now. There are no more
destitute regions in the world than the
mineral regions of Peru.