Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-09-24

1.-THE Natural Resources Of Maine" "
paper read at Pomona Grange. held in
Glenburn.)
Maine is the most eastGrly state OF our
Union, lying to the extreme northeast,
and is the largest of the New England
States. 1t has a very productive and
healthful climate, and has some of the
most beautiful scenery of the eastern
states. A prime source of the wealth of
Maine is found in her forests, lying for
the most part iu the northern part of the
state. The area of this vast forest 10
very great, being seven times larger than
the "Black Forest" of Germany. The
last report of the Forest Department
shows that four-ffths Of our original for.
est area is still untouched. This Is said
to be higher percentage than any other
state, and 20 percent higher than the
average. Yet in spite of the fact that
Maine has such a great forest, We realize
that it will soon be thing of the past If
the younger generation do not look into
this great question, and fight for its pres
ervation by practicing scientific forest
ry. Knowing that Maine is now export
ing almost $4,000, 900 worth of lumber
aud manufactured products every year,
we realize that by using scientific meth
DDS this great natural resource alone
would support large population.
Another one of Maine's great natural
resources is its water power. When we
think of the saying, "Power is the Gre
ator of wealth" and realize the amount of
power produced BY the 1888 wheels turn
ed by the 5151 streams represented up
on the state map, We cannot help but
feel that Maine is power and mas ines
timable wealth. The number of horse
power now produced is 2o7,591-which
Is only a very small part of that which
the rivers of Maine, flowing from an alti-
tude of 600 feet, are capable of producing.
In the Outlook for April it says, "The
men who control the water power, or
what is sometimes called white coal,
of the United States will control Ameri-
can industry. The fuel that makes the
steam that drives the machinery of man.
ufacture and transportation can be ex-
hausted. The water which can be used
to drive such machinery need never be
exhausted, for it is continually renewed.
Whoever, therefore, gets control of wa
ter power will possess the future substl-
tute for fuel, which will be of permanent
and undiminishable value" This will
also hold true for Maine, it being part
of the whole, and perhaps more so, as
Maine is at the head in the capability o.
producing great water power.
This gives great opportunity for the
Maine boy or girl of to-day, as this water
power will be in great demand in the
near future, and as is said, can control
Maine industry.
The farms as a natural resource also
give great opportunities for the younger
= eneration. Names hay crop exceeds
the value of the wheat crop of any of the
western states Of equal population.
Forty years ago the farm products reach
ed the large sum of s57, ,0OO,0 900, and now
it is far gre .ter.
Again, there are over $50 quarries
within the state of Maine. Among the
most important are its granite and slate
quarries, the most important of which
are situated at Hallowell and Skowhegan
respectively. The demand is growing
every year for Maine granite for building
purposes, and it is becoming very i'm
portant item of export. 1t is estimated
that Maine has granite enough to supply
all the cities of the world with building
and paving stone for many centuries to
come.
Maine undou btedly produces as fine a
quality of roofing slate as Is produced in
the world, and although the mining OF
feldspar, mica, and tourmalines are not
very important natural resources, the
ground feldspar of Maine is said to be
the finest in the country and is us.d e1-
tensively in the manufacture OF stone
ware.
Another one of Names great natural
resources giving great opportunity to
the younger generation is in its "sure
CROP" ice, the first shipment of which was
made almost century ago, and busi-
ness which is very profitable. At pres
emit, from one million to two million tons
are shipped every year.
Maine is also noted for its fine seem
cry, afforded by its rugged coast line,
lake and mountain scenery. These, tC
gether with its fine fishing, bring thou
sands of tourists into its borders every
year. Mdluo TedliZcS loi 10 ouho Akohn Aso
sea fisheries as we'll as from its numerous
island fisheries and summer camps every
season. It's rugged coast line offers
great opportunities for trade and ship
building, and along it's coast are found
some of the finest harbors of the Atlantic.
When we come to consider the great
opportunities offered the young people
of the State of Maine in its vast forest
area, its inexhaustible water power, its
great area of agricultural lands, together
with the vast amount realized therefrom,
it's valuable and world-renowned quar-
ries, it's great fisheries and summer re-
sorts, the State of Maine p 'ple may
we'll ask the reason for the younger gen.
GRAFTON looking elsewhere, as Maine un-
doubtedly offers more opportunities Tor
the development of its natural resources
than any other state of the Union.
Hints on Tree Planting.