Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-03-17

These figures show a loss of population
IN each decade since 1920 and total loss
of IA since that date. The decline of
nonulation in Newfane has something more
han a local interest, for similar conditions
have led to like result in more than half
the towns of the state A loss of popu-
lation occurred generally in the farming
towns: only two towns in Windham cOun-
~ lBrattleboro and Rockingham have as
LARGE A population as they had 80 years ago,
and the growth of these two is in their
nrosperous villages. The loss Of popula-
. tion in Newfane cannot justly be accredited
4 n the want of fertile soil or less at
4tractive homes than can generally be found
elsewhere. Statistics of agricultural prod
nets and their values prove beyond refuta-
ton that the farmers of Vermont realize
more profit from their labor and invest
ments than the average farmer in any one
of more than 30 other states, yet our peo-
mic emigrate and often settle in less de-
sirable country than they leave. There
are two direct causes for the decrease of
population in Newfane, which, without
seeking for any precedent cause, fully ac-
count for it; these are: (D A low birth
rate on Emigration. In the early histo-
ry of the town families of from eight to II
children were not uncommon. AT this
time il is rare to find family with more
THAN four or five children, and large num-
Der of families have none. The average
humber of persons in Newfane family,
as found by the census of 1890, was only
~. The average annual birth rate in the
United States is estimated by good author
tiles at about 50 per thousand of living in
habtants. The average number of births
in Ncwfane for the past 3Oyears, as shown
bv compilation from the registration re-
ports, was as follows:
Average annual number of births for 10
years ending with
$50 III
~ $50 III
1890 II.
Average annual births for 30 years, 1927.
At the normal birth rate the whole num-
her of births in 30 years would have been
sabout 1855
The whole number of births in the
8paSt 30 years was 5le
Deficiency 6S1
There are no complete records from
which the birth rate at the time when the
town had more than 1900 inhabitants can
be ascertained but it was then, probably,
above rather than below the normal rate, OIL
more than twice as great as at the present
time. In 1924 the number of children in
the common schools of Newfane, as stated
in the town history, was 5lS. Last veal
QSQO) the number of scholars in town at
BENDING any school was 1874. In 1924 the
children in the schools were 34.5 per cent
of the entire population; they are now but
1913 per cent.
The proportion of deaths to the whole
humber of inhabitants, for the period GOV
cred by the registration reports, has beer
about the same in Newfane as the gen
eral average for the country. For the dec
ade ending with 1870 the annual average
of deaths in town was 21.3; for the decade
ending with 1880, 1871; for the decade end
ing 1890, III. The annual death rate 70
1000 inhabitants for the 80 years was abou
about II. The whole number of death
in the 80 years was about 500. TIL
deaths exceeded the births for the CORE
Spending period by As. The loss in pOpu
ation during the same period was 241
which leaves a loss of 1913 to be accounte
for by the excess of emigration over imm
grafton.
OF the first cause of the decline in on
population | forbear to comment here
Our loss from emigration has been tn
country's gain; for Newfane, like othe
country towns OF New England, has ser
out many persons who have helped to d.
yeop other localities and to give sterlin
character to other communities. OF late
the people of the town have better al
probation of the privileges of their home
and there is reason to believe that hereaf
er there will be fewer removals from II
old hOmesteads and that the pOpulatiO
may be increased by additions from abroa'