Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-09-20
A New Growth for Maine.
Prom the Lewiston Joxrwat.l

A New Growth for Maine.
From the Lewiston yourN0l.l
One Of the most gratifying features OF
the present census report il the statistical
proof that New England 10 oncs mors
gaining in population. From 1850 down to
lee than ten ysars ago the tide was turn
ing to the West and this section was stead-
lily decreasing In al it, rural sections. A
the young men left the farms the products
Of the coil grew less for the reason Of tbs
scarcity Of help. The impression became
general all over the country that New Eng
land had sem it, best days and already had
become decadsnt. It was . gloomy ont
look and seemed to discourage many farm
err from snlarginR their operations.
This westward movement has now prac-
tically csased and the tide 10 turning back
to the soil. Nit only this but the popula-
ton IL actually gaining in spite Of the fact
that the great wave Of immigration
scarcely touches our shores but sweeps on
towards the Northwest and the South.
The growth 10 mostly Of native stock
which il another OF the encouraging
symptoms. One Of the signs Of this
change il the practical disappearance Of
have largely been reclaimed BY people who
desire them for summer homes but yet
who cultivate the land. In Massachusetts,
alone an excess OF farm crops to the extent
Of eleven million dollars over ten years
ago IL recorded by census reports. The
development in this State has been still
greater and the per cent. in growth Of
population has more than kept Dec. In
tensive cultivation has had much to do
with the increase Of farm products, but
there stands the government report that
the population has also made healthy
growth. Better than all else the census
has conclusively proven that with scien-
tific methods the farms Of Maine will yield
larger results and more profits acre for
acre than in any other section OF the
country. One reason for this il our
proximity to the markets, and this il an
advantage which cannot be overestimated.
The market il ct our very doors and this
reduces the cost Of transportation to the
minimum. ! In many cases this cost u al
most wholly eliminated, - in the case Of
summer guests who ebuy nearly all their
food OF the nearby farmers. Up to this
time our farmers have not been able to
supply the demand for certain products
like berries and poultry and supplies are
being brought into the State from distant
points in New England and Canada. This
demand will continue to grow BY leaps
and bounds and way must Be found to
supply 1t from our own farms. This 10
one Of the great reasons why intelligent
men are finding their way back to the
soil. True, the rural sections have not
kept pace with the industrial centres in
the march Of progress but there are ssvs-
nal factors that are fast changing this cur
rent. The rural free delivery and trolley
car are bringing the city and country 70
closely together that the lines Of distinc-
ton are rapidly being swept away.
Not only in agriculture but also in COM
merce Maine is fast gaining new stand
ing among the states. Our magnificent
water powers are fast coming to be known
and their value appreciated by the BUSH
ness men and manufacturers Of tho .coun-
try, and with their development win come
an increased growth in all the cities and
towns. This means more mouths to feed
and . still greater demand for the products
OF the soil. A new spirit has awakened
and all over our State there is an optimis-
tic feeling for the future. As nothing sue
ceeds like success, this spirit is bound to
grow and develop - time goes on. Our
young men are fast coming to realize that
here il their best opportunity in the fu-
ture and for this reason the western fever
has died and passed out of existence. Here
are countless farms that for . generation
have been moro or less neglected but
which under modern methods will onos
more blossom like the rose. Here sEs fna-
lures that will yet BE- filed with lowing
herds and broad fields where golden grain
will rustic In the breeze. Here will be the
home of happy and prosperous people
and where the virtues which sustain re-
public can best be nurtdred.