The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-13

oovernor's staff, at his home In Hamlet
village. The DISTINGUISHED party arrived
at the park at 2 o'clock The Sons OF
Veterans escorted the party of notables,
who occupied tally-ho coach.
Today Is also children's day. The
echools were closed and hundreds of the
little folks attended.
Governor Brown in replying TO the
cordial welcome extended to him In
graceful language by Colonel L. u.
Pease, said;
Tho Governor's Grafton.
Mr.. President and members of the woon-
socket Agricultural and Industrial society,
and friends, an invitation to visit your thriv-
ing city. the capital of northern Rhode Island,
your busy streets IL hardly seemed possible
that was in the youngest city of our state.
such h9wevsTE, is the fact tsC, but more 9Srs
- a community you, have during
the last twenty years doubled your popula-
tion and since the last State census you have
made q gain OF over 600 inhabitants. That Is
= record equalled by but two or three COM
munities In the State, and Newport Paw
y their laurels when they witness your rapid
growth am not surprised that as a reward
Tor your enterprise you should desire n
county chrfstened after you, composed of the
thriving townships that contribute towaris
And the signs are that this growth Is not
premature. but permanent, and will continue
to extend 80 long conditions favor the de-
yelopmcnt Of American manufactures by
American citizens. You have welcomed 10
your midst from other lands. hardy, intelli-
gent and thrifty people, who i am pleased TO
know are becoming attached to our institu:
tons participating IN our government and
are honorsd and useful citizens.
But while we find this sturdy growth OF
your city and its neighborhood. we are met by
&peculiar contrast which Is. of great interest,
y seems to me, TO the agriculturist. The COM
missioner of industrial statistics made an ex-
animation last year of the abandoned farms
Of this state. The explorations OF his agents
revealed 4ss homesteads formerly. worked as
farms, but now abandoned and Idle. An
examination of his report shows that
Of these farms. l3e are found in
towns IN the Immediate vicinity. Of this city.
Now do not pretend TO say that Woonsccket
has been built up at tho expense OF the farm
Ing district. Such conclusion may be a
perfectly natural one, but the census reports
and the valuation figures do not bear il out.
The towns In which these abandoned farms
are 10 5be found have not only increased in
population but have also Increased in valua-
lion. i am not prepared TO say whether
these farms have been abandoned by the pres
enf generation for the more congenial and
more pcGhupdd,o9s ,hnp n
ants OF our old settlers have gone towards the
setting sun, where fields are broader and the
% 81. more f virgin bnt the iacL remains ss .nae az
gone and the ceres which might be a source
Of wealth are lying idle.
The question OF reclaiming these waste
lands Is one worthy OF the consideration OF
your society. and II YOU can arrive NJ any
solution OF the problem you will be material
~ benefttlEg the state j assume tie farms
have been abandoned because the former
\ ownere have been enabled TO make better
living elsewhere. In many Instances the
farms may be less TO blame than
the owners. i see no reason why
there should not be ample remuneration IN
enau market farms for the cultivation of
vegetables. fruits. and for the raising of dairy
produce and poultry. The army Of consumers
living In the mill villages and cites. might IA
well be fed by Rhode Island farmers as by
tbs farmers OF New York ahd Massachusetts.
from which states ! understand a large sup
riy OF the farm produce consumed by us now
comes.
The soil may require moro fertilization and
the tIlling Of the ground may have TO proceed
upon scscntinc basis. but through our instit u
tlons. the Agricultural Experiment Station
and the college now firmly established in the
soufhern part OF tho state. our people are be-
ing prepared for the changed conditions under
which agriculture must be pursued with profit.
The most serious drawback TO the profitable
tilling Of these abandoned farms Is undoubt-
tdiy the heavy expense OF transportation in
dicted by the wretchcd con ition OF our high
ways Our colleges aud lecturers may teach
the farmer new methods Of obtaining the