St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-08-13
PRESS COMMENT
A Vermont Opportunity

NAhAOAN OPtfOA
Vermonters have been told by ex-
perts how fortunate they are in re-
gard to the favors nature has show
cred upon them as regards climate,
soil formation, etc. But the end is
not yet. 1t would seem that every
newcomer has some unrecogniZed
advantage to point out. Just now it
is Prof William Stuart, of the feder-
al department of agriculture, who,
| accompanied by w. A. Orion and
Doctor Wollenbeber, of the same de-
partment, is making a survey of the
potato growing districts of the coun-
try.
Professor Stuart is a fromer res
ident of the state, having received
his education at the University of
Vermont, and having been on the
faculty of that institution at one
time. He thinks that there are
great possibilities in the state for
the Southern market. Climate and
soil are right, he says. Individual
effort will bring success.
And why not? The commission
er of agriculture has demonstrated
on his own farm that the growing of
seed potatoes is possible and profit
able. He has no trouble disposing
of his crop at a good price, and he
has been willing to assist other
farmers in doing the same thing.
! Vermont is better situated than
Maine for the work in that she has
better transportation facilities to
nearer markets. Professor Stuart
recognizes this.
Moreover, from the farmers
stand point the growing of potatoes
bis an excellent thing. Soil that has
been devoted to potatoes one year
will be in better shape for some
other crop the next year. 1t is good
farm economy in itself, to say moth
ing about the market. But there is
seed potatoes. The southern truck
! farmers have found that they need
good seed of true variety and free
from disease. Seed of this kind
they have not been able to get in
sufficient quantities. And right
here is VermOnt's opportunity.
If Vermont would take up the
work of growing seed potatoes and
would devise some scheme of inspec-
ton that the buyer might know just
what they are getting, it would be
in a good way of getting into the
market with a clean advantage over
all other states. Probably Yer
mont could get some assistance in
starting the work of inspection, for
it is a field worth developing. The
increased price that the buyers
would be willing to pay for potatoes
that had passed the expert test
would more than Offset the cost.
And at the same time Vermont
would add to her reputation as
progressive state.-St. Adams Mes
senger.
The Telephone Question
We know nothing regarding the
merits of the telephone case and
shall await thorough investigation
of the whole matter by an impartial
tribunal and suggest that all do the
same before passing judgement.
We do know that we have many
things to complain of, and perhaps
the rates are too high. That thorough
investigation can show.
We do know that our experience
with Independent lines, giving SER
vice at low rates, has not been sat
isfactory, because the service was
so poor as to be practically worth
less.
The trouble seems, to an outsider,
to be that a lower rate is made than
can be afforded, or too much of the
earnings diverted in dividends and
the lines are not kept up.
A new company starts and, while
the line is new and the instruments
and equipment new, we get good
Service, but it soon deteriorates and
goes from bad to worse.
When we complains we are told
there is no money to make improve
ments, etc.
We have seen this in both Frank
lin and Addison counties and were
glad to pay any price when we
could get good service and, in both
cases, the only service worth a. cent
was that furnished by the n. E. T.
& T. Co.
1t was because they kept up their
lines, instruments, etc.
Our main reason for complaint
against this company in the past has
been too many parties on a line"
We want to see the subject thor
oughly investigated, but we had
rather pay a higher rate, if neces-
sary, if it would insure a still better
service.
It is a question of service and we
are willing to pay for good service.
-Morrisville Messenger.
Improving Horse Flesh
1t is interesting to note that while
the agricultural department has lent
its influence, and wisely, to the en-
couragement Of the revival of the
Morgan type of horse, which, for
general farm purposes in America is
unsurpa is to say, where a
/ 1, nr1x