Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-09-01
PROSPERITY PROSPECTS.
Maine Rich With Granite Fields and
Other Industries.
The Journal Chats With State House Officials
Regarding State Development.

During the JOURNAL mans visit to the
State House, yesterday, a few facts of State
Importance were gathered. The grain crop
in Maine generally is not turning out as
gosd as was expected during the first part
Of tie season, and more especially the oat
crop. 1t grew up splendidly, but the rust
has effected it and the stalks did not head
out as was looked for. The oats do not gen.
orally seem as plump and full as usual.
In regard to the fruit crop, apples will
not turn out abundantly, the blight having
caused drawback. The plum crop gen.
orally seems to be good one, no blight
having been reported. Vegetables have
been plenty and CT fine quality. The hay
crop has been fairly good and was harvested
during good weather. Potatoes are re-
ported to be the largest crop in the State
for several years.
After brief conversation regarding the
crops the development Of Maine was
talked about. The man with whom the re-
porter was conversing is well versed in
what is being done throughout the State.
He began; .The farming interests of
Maine are growing, increasing largely from
the good being done through the work of
the grange, which is an agricultural school
to some extent, serving to educate the hus-
~ Cav
1900 oranges are organized in the State
and through their influence the farmer is
receiving great benefit, both for himself
and for the State"
ado you think many new farms will be
opened during the next few years."
Eyes, Maine has hundreds of acres yet
to be opened and turned into state of cul-
tiyation. You see that few years ago
farmer that had bright son would send
him away, fit him for another kind of bust
ness. Human nature is often dissatisfied with
what it has. You will see men in good po-
sitions and still they feel that a business of
some other kind is better and this is very
often the case with the tiller of the soil. He
has become tired of seeing the rock piles,
stumps, fences and toiling away in the dirt,
80 concludes to make another kind Of &C.
tivity more congenial to his sons liking.
This has been the case, but now the farmer
has, more plainly than ever before, come
to see the folly of this and the son is being
educated agriculturally. Today the farms
are being run by young men and as new
railroads are extended through the wooded
sections new tracts of country will be
opened and farms started"
"How about the pulp industry"
at is increasing. The material is plenty
and the water power of the State is well
suited for such business. | don't
believe that Maine was ever intended
for an agricultural part Of the country, and
the reason that would give is that the water
power is so great that it is excellently
adapted to manufacturing of all kinds. No
state in the Union has as many rivers with
as fine water power privileges as Maine. The
pulp business is a paying one and has been
a boom to the State. Pulp material may
be plenty in Aroostook county and the new
railroad may open up great
stretch Of splendid country, but
whether or not the water power is good
l cannot say, but don't think it is. You
see pulp mill cannot be run by steam, be-
cause water is needed in making the pulp
"What do you think about the lumber
business2"
at has seen its day, the quality and
quantity is being Exhausted, yet in some
parts of the State you can fad magnificent
stretches Of forest. The market for lumber
has not been good recently, but will prob
ably be in few years. The tariff bill will
injure the lumbermen.
"An industry that is increasing is that OF
procuring granite. Many huge boulder
on some side hill is yielding many dollars
to its owners. The supply is almost ex-
hsustless and the demand for Maine gran
lite is growing
Another department was visited, where
the real wealth and prosperity or decline OF
the country is noticed, and here the same
subject was discussed.
1.-THE people of Maine have greater pros
poets for prosperity now than ten years ago.
l don't mean to say that business is so much
better but the people have thrown up this
idea of investing in sand heaps and
wildcat Western investments. They
have became enlightened to the fact
that their capital can be invested al
home where it can be watched and steady
returns obtained. More of our young men
are locating at home and thus throwing
new life and energy into the building
up of State rich in resources. know OF
lots of people who become crazed with the
GO West idea and, today. they would give
great deal to be in as good circumstances
as when they left Maine to seek quick
fortune in the West. People have grown
suspicious of Western money schemes and
can find MANY illu strations at home of the