Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-19

then you must judge with a bias
against the proposition. At least two
fifths of New York State knows moth
ing about tillage, is still in the swamp
or brnshWood state: and there are
millions of acres in the United States
that even experts cannot subject to
purposes of home-making.
Within easy reach of New York City
there are hundreds of acres unsuitable
for homesteads, owing to the impos-
sibility of good drainage. or the I'M
Comfortable presence of insects, or for
other reasons.
The first point to consider is a soil of
sufficient dept 10 respond to cultiva-
ton. Il is true that you must make
soil for yourself, and in another article
we shall talk over that matter very
thoroughly. 1t is not true that you
cannot create soil for yourself, and u
good deal of this you must do in the
best localities: but if you begin on a
barren piece of soil you start at great
disadvantage and are not likely to re
main long in the country.
| do not know of any easier way. as
a general rule, to judge of the soil than
by the size and thrift of the trees that
are growing on it. If you find huge
apple tree, or a grove of fine naples
or oal- trees spreading themselves over
q diameter of sixty feet, or even pine
trees standing eighty feet high, do not
be afraid of the soil, even if it is very
sandy. If you wish to grow fruit, as
rule you must prefer good strong clay,
with about twenty per cent. of sand; if
you want to grow celery and other veg
etables mucky soil with good mix
ture of sand should be the chief point
to consder.-E. p. Powell, in the Out
ing Magazine for March.
The puhlic'S eyes have been opened
wide by the revelations made by Rear
Admiral Roblcy ID. Evans in his series
of articles on the value of the Panama
Canal which have been running in
Hampton s Magazine. The series ends
with the March article. in which Adj
miral Evans gives his concluding
points embracing the entire series.
They are the following
First that the amount of internal
tional trade for the canal will be dis
appointingly small and entirely I'M
emunerative.
Second, that the canal must compete
with SueZ, which can give differentiai
rates. and can even make free, if the
British go"ernment chooses. any given
trade, thus affording most effective
protection to British shipping.
Third that the Panama Canal will
give disappointingly small impetus
to our foreign trade.
Fourth, that its chief benefit to us
as q nation will be in lowering frelghts
and equalizing transportation condi-
tons between different sections of the
country.
Fifth, that the methods and the sue
Guess of the railroads in the past in
suppressing water competition justify
the fear that the same procedure will
he invoked to prevent the canal doing
it's true work. Steamships using the
canal may be controlled by the rail-
roads, and rates kept so high as to
protect the rail routes in their high
charges.
sixth, that this sort of unrestrained
and vicious competition can be pre-
vented by rigorous regulative meas
ures.
Seventh. that in order to assure real
competition between the canal and the
rail routes, the canal should be toll
free.
Eighth. that if it is made toll-free,
and if the necessary regulations are en-
forced to assure absolutely free anu
honest competition, there will nave TO
be built, 70 handle this canal business.
a great number Of fast cargo-carry'ng
steamships.
Ninth. these steamships would sail
under the American flag. and would
be a most valuable auxiliary to our
navy in the time of war.
From his beautiful home in Tren-