The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-09-15
BUT AN IMPROVEMENT. CANE
Then the Crowds Came Also and the
Association Was Pleased-Result Of
the Events on the Track-Natick .
Victor in the Firemen's Contest


and several other leading citizens.
President Reoch made spirited ad-
dress, at the close OF which he introduced
Governor Brown who. after speaki ng OF
the excellence OF the exhibits and also
expressing the cow ction that the crises
through which the country 10 nov pass
ing would soon be Mt an eud turned to q
consideration OF the abandoned farms.
According to the report OF the commis.
sioner Of industrial statistics. he said
four OF the towns In the vicinity of
this park are credited with up
wards OF ESQ abandoned farms.
NOW this Is more serious matter than
may appear at first sight. While we are
building large factories and growing
richer aud more prosperous, We cannot
on that account pass without attention
the fact that our old homestead farms.
the birthplaces Of those who have
helped to build up the state, the breed
ing places OF energy. economy. industry,
thrift and Independence are passing
away. Our farms have b en- the back.
hone OF our state and we must maintain
that back bone.
Many Reasons Given.
Various persons assign various reasons
for this depopulation OF our farms. J.
assume that, broadly speaking. the reason
is, that IL has b. en- found impossible 10
make them pay. 1t may DO explained to
some extent by the fact that radical
change is going on In the agricultural
profession, predominated by u tendency
to produce at the present day as much
from twenty acres as WAS taken from q
farm OF fifty acres. thirty years ago.
This, however, does not entirely explain
che Reason why so many acres of good
farm land remain idle. This state is pro-
ducing the smallest part Of the vegeta-
bles. small fruit. poultry and dairy farm
produce which is being consumed
by the p ople Of our state In
season. The cities OF Boston and New
York are pouring in daily to the markets
of Providence. produce which have re n
sou 10 believe might proftably be raise
on land now lying idle within a radius Of
IS r'ies o. populated districts that
should be able to consume all we cou d
raise. And not only is this market stuff
from outside the state being sent TO
p. evidence, but IL is being transferred to
towns In our state that once supplied our
cities with garden produce.
Highway Improvements.
"As said yesterday. it seems to me
that one step towards the redemption OF
these abandoned farms would be found
In the improvement OF our country high
ways. Tnis is large subject, which IL Is
impossible for me TO discuss in full on
an occasion such as this. But am con-
vinced that thers is no question before
our people today which 50 directly affe cts
their welfare and certainly no
question Of greater importance.
Tha deplorable condition of
our country highways is retard-
ing the development OF the state, depre-
ciating the value of the farm In lands,
ana advancing the cost of farming. II Is
not surprising that our young people are
desertiug the farms. There is al attrac-
tion in the sociablity of the factory
town and city from which they are as
effectually barred on farm 20 miles
from the city surrounded by bad roads rs
IL they were 200 miles away. There Is q
heavy tax imposed on all loads over bad
highways, which is greater for distance
o 20 miles than It would be to transport
a imilar load 200 miles by railroad.
II am further convinced that little
progress can bs made IN this matter
under our present method of construction
and repair. The roads belong to the
people aud should be looked after by the
represen atives OF the people, lie. the state.
The cost OF reconstructing our main
highways will not be 30 enormous IS
some may imagine. Roughly speaking
It can be accomp. ished by Q tax OF halt
q cent on dollar of cur present valu
alto EIft .s1 t tt
II leave the matter with you. asking you
to consider it. IL possible procure
lecturers acquainted with the road ques-
tion and discuss it among yourselves
during the winter months. TIE farmers
cannot longer afford to bs opposed to a
reform which of all reforms Is desti, ed
to particularly benefit them.
At the conclusion Of the governors ad-
dress the track events were begun.
Today's Events.
The rainy weather this morning
In erfered somewhat with the atten-
dance aud the officers OF the ass,
citation we're somewhat discouraged.
Later, however. Wen the downpour
ceased and the sun played hide aud seek
behind the clouds the number OF visitors
began To increase TO an extent to give
prom 80 OF fair y successful day.
The races attracted much attention
aud resulted as follows:
In the 2:t5 class, pure S2O0 divided.
the race was won uv Happy
Drane driven by Fuller. Emma
ID. second and Nolan ii. third.
Tim 2ss3l, s:s'sl, a;4o. 2;s9js, 2:aaIS,
aud 1894
In the 2:3o class. Gold Getter m, Annie
c b m, Garfield. Celia aud VAL
ley Chief were entered, Three
heats were trotted, Valley
Chief easily Winning every heat. G5ldeet
ter coming In second Anuie Z third. Time,
2;27sl. 2;ss. 2:4ssl. ,lss
The judges wers Byron BurlinRame,
Hills Grove. Alfred Nichols and George
Is. Read Of East Greenwich aud j. Z.
Thornton of River Point; starter. Lee
Grant; CLERK. Lucien w. Searle.
The Muster OF Firemen.
IN -. AZ. 81 fax