Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-09-13
Study Meaning of These Facts.

Inc IoIll census bulielil Oh 4Abii-
culture for Maine, just issued by Dr.
rector Durand came a little too late
paign fer perpetuation OF the prohibi-
tion law, but it is at hand, now, and is
being published widely by daily and
weekly papers. carrying it's message OF
assurance and education TO those who
have had faith in the Maine law. and
to those who have questioned its yutil-
| ity as compared with the laws manu-
featured and approved by the liquor
| interests.
The striking increase in the value of
Names farm property is worthy OF
mote and careful comparison with the
progress of other agricultural states
The census reports not previously an
nounced now assure us that Maine
| ranks goth in area, and S4th in popu-
lation, among the states and territories
of Continental United States. From
the standpoint of agricultural develop
ment, Maine has passed out of the
class of states having a large area oil
land suitable for cultivation, and not
yet so utilized. without having definite
| " entered the class of those whose
available land has all been converted
| into farms. AS regards adaptability
for agricultural operations, the charae-
ter of the state is not uniform. The
river valleys are productive. but a
considerable part of the State is rugged
and barren. One of these valleys is
lgiven as the largest area of fertile
farming land in New England.
AS TO the area in farms, about S3
per cent. of the State has been con-
four -ffths of the land area is in farms,
while in only two counties the pro-
portion falls below one fifth. During
the ten years u900- 1870, the increase
lin population in Maine was about as
O0O and the number Of farms in
tcreased III. The census data calls at
| tention to the fact that during the
decade the percentage Of increase in
population was about six times that in
the number of farms.
Attention is called to the most not
able fact brought out by this bulletin
| of the remarkable increase in the value
of farm property that has taken place
| in the State of Maine in the last ten
years. The total value OF farm prop
erty. according to the last census, is
l$199,271 1913, and this represents an i'm
crease since 1900 of $7G,000,000, or 62.S
per cent
Ii seems to us that the people oil
Maine should consider well any move
that would interrupt or Interfere with
such progress as indicated IN this gov
eminent report. The established poll
Icy of years. an establishment of con-
ditions brought about by Mainc's sons,
lin the National law making body,
whose brilliancy and acumcn have
challenged the admiration Of the
world: men who have easily won and
maintained recognition as the leaders
in governmental affairs for several
i decades, should not be discontinued OF
disturbed without the most positive
assurance from men of UNQUES-
1 TONED ability and leadership that We
are to embark upon an era of more
than wonderful possibility and proba
bility. 1t is a dangerous experiment
to disturb we'll enough. and he who
is dissatisfied with this indication of
Names progress in the last decade,
cannot have followed the fortunes Of
other states and nations with any de-
lgree of grasp or understanding.
As given by Census Director Durslnd,
lin round numbers the value OF farm
Hand In the State Of Maine is sSe00o,