The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-04-16
PRESENT FARMING CONDITIONS
IN NEW ENGLAND.

49, " f'NhAt ~H' hoft
known the farming Of these states
twenty years ago, and Of those who
are seeing Il today in a superficial
manner.
For a generation Of two past the
changes In farming the county over,
had left the farming Of New England
in depressed condition, according to
a specialist Of the Department OF Az.
riculture, The reaction Of the last
decade is now remedying this depres.
sion. II was true that New England
land could not produce some OF the
staple crops in competition with the
land OF the Central States, especial
ly when that land was low priced.
The present change is due to the
large and growing consuming popu-
lation Of New England and the diff.
Guilty in importing some OF the per-
ishable or bulky farm products from
other states.
Observation from railway trains
often results in statements which ex.
aggerate the amount of rough land In
New England, As rule some Of
the poorest land lies in sight Of the
railways, while the rest Of this re-
gion is by no means all Of the same
character. The tillable land is much
more extensive than is often under
stood, and the non-tillable is valua-
BILE asset as grazing or woodland.
The development OF profitable
farming on New England land has
not yet gone SO far but that there
are now many sections where the
land is really cheap, considering its
productive capacity. To make the
production Of crops pay good interest
on the value Of the land, II must, Of
course, be so chosen as to avoid the
speculative values causd by suburban
or summer residences, or in few
cases be overestimated farming
values. The very cheap land is often
to be avoided also, because II is not
fitted for farming and is at the
moment devoid Of forest covering.
Some Of the cheap farms are not |
large enough in acreage, or produce
too little income per acre, to keep q |
farmer and his family Such farms,
however, may form desirable parts Of |
larger farm business. Most Of the
real farming is done on land valued at
from ten to one hundred dollars per
acre and the greater part Of 1t is per-
haps on the land worth from twenty
five to sixty dollars per acre, the
whole farm taken together.
The distinctive features Of New
England farming are due to the fact
that the region as q whole Is particu-
larly adapted to the growth Of grass
and trees. So, in general, the kinds
Of farming which depend on the grass
crop, predominate. These kinds Of
farming are profitably supplemented
by orcharding, and derive great help
from the presence Of woodland. The
last furnishes winter employment for
many farmers and their teams.
Hay growing for the market on
the moist or loamy soils Of New Eng
land is more profitable than corn
growing in the Central States. Pota-
toes on the well drained lands Of
northern New England and ample or
chards on the uplands Of all but the
most northern part are profitable and
command markets which are not 30
easily reached from other states.
Truck and small fruit crops are In
demand and are profitable to raise
near to any OF the larger towns and
cities. Market milk is also paying
product even somewhat further from
the cities, but is not 80 universally
profitable as has been supposed, when !
1t has to be sold for the prices fire.
quent at points more remote from the
cities.
Peaches are profitable in number
Of localities in the southern half Of
New England, as for instance, on the
slopes Of the Connecticut valley In
Massachusetts and Connecticut, and
on favored slopes in New Hamp-
shire along the southern border. The
production Of eggs and poultry pays
well when properly managed, for the
average prices Of eggs In southern
New England are almost the highest
in the country. Livestock farming
which utilizes the relatively cheap
grazing land OF northern New Eng
and is favorably situated, but should
not depend exclusively on dairy pro-
iucts. The growing Of young dairy
.attle for the use Of market milk re-
sions, and Of sheep for mutton utilize
part OF these pastures to advantage.
Other products are Of local impor-
.ance and profit in various parts Of
.hese states, where special condi-
ions or markets obtain.
There are two chief problems in
New Englad farming, where the land
,as been under cultivation for 10
many years. The first Is TO supply
lumus economically. II has been
that livestock would do this
,ut 1t is now evident that in many sit
lations other means must be employ
d. Short rotations including Glow
II sod to pillow down with frequent
will do much TO keep the
leeded amount OF humus In the soil