Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-10-19
NAMES FARMING WEALTH.
The States Growth and Prosperity Told in Official Fig
uresfIon. George Pottle of Lewiston, Gives Few
Facts Along This Line.

adm itted into the Union as a State
in 1870 it had a population of 23S.-
o00 end its valuation in round numbers
was so, G00,000 tt't-
Our population today is no doubt
125 ,000 and the state valuation of
property subject to local taxation is
$39a, 100000, (exactly 394. 72S. 1901. &
These figures do not by far show
our total wealth as many forms Of
| corporation property such us our Saw
ings Institutions which have assets
of approximately slG0 600 are not
included nor is the property of rail-
roads and other public service COR
Foratons included in the State valua-
ton. ~
When Maine became State there
was no city within its border and but
few towns of considerable size. To-
day We have twenty cities Which
contain 90 per cent. of our valuation.
There are 20 towns with an average
$500 and Ito towns with an average
population Of 400. The remaining
towns and plantations each I,as a popu-
lation of less than 1000.
There are about $1,000 farms in our
State and they represent in Il large
degree homes Of comfort and happi-
ness.
Years ago we used to hear much
of Maine's- abandoned farms; we hear
but little of it today The tide has;
turned. Farm values are appreciat-
ing and from other states are fro
quent inquiries from mon who desire
to purola n Sc farms and lual1c
their abode with us.
Many who have grown weary in
the tfesome trade and speculation ir
tire city and in the pursuit Of honor
ard wealth its larger opportunities
offer. have turned to the memory of
their bothood days and have rn-
turned to the scene of their childhood.
They have purchased the Old home
stead and have continued to spend
some portions of the year there. as the
most satisfactory source Of comfort
and happiness il. their later years.
There are more than 2CoooO Maine
born pcoplo now living outside Of our
| State
They rc,,fressent the best blood, the
MODEST typc'sof our citizenship
They are i every state learning
ties of puhlH had are potent
factors in dvery shilnen ac-.
tiyity and .presA
The glqESpfspt ate Il hot what
m. bor,qfSsks vi fhaye given.
" s1"2pe,' j s q a,' 'er
S' Tb rs ! 81 ss,,s Ma.pe suas I
comr1st ed 1885. d ,seIvss mics in
I length, an1Sffom that time thesg has.
been!'a scasysst s,gal tsshS until j.. in,
n,ilas 81 fllfosd lines at the
preser.tsais We. ;haves 2 .D9s miles s Of Of,
Tread line6 kikhin. 6urg Sta e. neasip.
700 anitessof DIV Toet .jsaving beer
cons tfrsetelR III .the~ f,ast i years. .y
In 1paq Mad one. electric rail
road and six horse
railroads. a.th ptala length Of $
miles, To-Day We snave 3S9 miles Of
s stse1 1da ss go h d being cleo
NearIyt she-half. of the total area Of
Maine n yet in, gFunorgnnized town
shiJis NE. wild land and most of the
EE1Sat stcrritory is an unbroken for
Pest.
! This wilderness represents one 81
the great clements Of the prosperity
of our State.
| Employment Is given 10 thousands
| in the numbering operations and me
various forest products constitute me
| Indispensable raw material Of many
of our manufacturing industries.
! Aroostook county up in Tn" II tn
cast corner of the United sta! -, )
| the third county in the Union in hog
! ntude of its agricultural products:
! it is growing rapidly in population
and wealth nnd I predict that when
| the census of 1910 is made that this
! fertile county will stand first among
| the counties of our country as
| farmers paradise.
| The potato crop Of AronstoGk
| county for the year 1906 aggregates
J more than 1900, 900 bushels.