St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-06-09
PRESS COMMENT
A Greater Vermont

cially is this true of the so-caIled
rural sections. The prosperity and
prOgressiveness of the cities located
in the valley have been of themselves
a condemnation of conditions in the
agricultural country located between
them. 1t was a reproach to Spring
field and Greenfield that there should
| be so many decadent towns in
western Massachusetts, and it was tic
the discredit of Brattleboro and Bur
lington that there should be deca-
dence in the parts of Vermont which
lie between these busting municipal
lities.
Therefore, it is due these cities
to record that they are now lending a
hand in the salvation of so much of
rural New England as lies within the
valley of the Connecticut River. We
have published in earlier issues some
record of what the Hampden County
Improvement League is doing in the
neighborhood of Springfield, and we
shall publish in this or a subsequent
issue a statement of the efforts and
aspirations of the Franklin County
body. From time to time, we shall
likewise tell what is being done for
the restoration of agricultural Yer
mont
The gathering of the greater Yer
mont Association in Brattleboro, on
the 18th and 18th of May, was an in
spiration to all who attended. The
Hampden County League, the Keene
Commercial Club, and the Western
New England Chamber of Commerce
each sent representatives to tell what
their organizations are doing. The
president of the Boston & Maine Rail
road, several of whose lines are in
Vermont, was also present. 1t is no
disparagement of these men, how
ever, so say that the heartiest well
come was for Theodore N. Vail, pres
ident of the American Telephone &
Telegraph Co., a son of Vermont,
who has shown that Vermont farms
can certainly turn out great men.
The meeting was no mere flash in
the pan. Its purpose was higher than
simply the entertainment of guests
with excellent speeches. Mr.. Vail
specifically commended the practical
work the association is doing, and
urged that it be given ample and gen
erous support. A program of activi-
ties was laid out, which will require
strong work by the officers and con-
stituent organizations of the associa-
ton, namely, the local boards Of
trade. Real help was obtained from
the address of the secretary of the
Keene, New Hampshire, Commercial
Club, for Keene has shown that 1t
knows how to obtain new industries,
and from the secretary of the Hamp-
den County Improvement League,
who showed the value of organized
cooperation in the development of
agricultural and civic life in villages
and counties. An apple survey of
Vermont was instituted, and man
ufacturers section of the association
created. An exhibit at the state
fair was planned, to show what To-
cal commercial organizations are do
ing for Vermont. 1t was decided to
arrange for recognition of the 125th
anniversary of Vermont's admission
to the Union.
All in all, it is safe to conclude
that the retrogression of the Connec-
ticut Valley as an agricultural and
industrial section will no longer be
allowed to proceed. A great educa-
tor once declared that this valley
has never had a fair show. Before
the coming of the railroad this Won
derfuIly fertile section was too re-
mote from the cities, and after the
coming of the railroad, it was forced
into a killing competition with the
cheap lands of the West. The peo-
ple of the valley have determined
that henceforth it shall have fair
show, and shall take the place in
the industries of the United States
IN which it is entitled.-United States
Investor.
Increasing Vermont's Productivity
Vermont's soil is not only the
present foundation of our prosperity, |
but it is destined also to fgure still
more in our future development. Our
columns will demonstrate our I'M
bounded faith in the Vermont farm. |
We have advocated land as an in
vestment. We have preached the |
early appreciation of soil in value
and have seen our prophecies ma
We have championed
more intensive farming, and we are
glad to say that Uncle Sam is COOP
Grating with the Green Mountain
State.
We note with special satisfaction
hat representatives of the bureau or
soils. of the United States depart
nent of agriculture, are now at work
1pon a complete soil survey of Wind
ior county.
The party, it is expected, will take
several months to complete the ex-
animation and mapping of the soils
# the county. The department re-
Iuests cooperation on the part of
armers and land owners with the
ederal soil survey. They should be
,iven facilities to make borings and
ample the different soils. They
re provided with credentials which
will be shown upon request.
As soon as the federal workers
ave completed their investigations,
hey will make a large map showing
he various kinds of soils and their {
ocation by means of colors and shad-
ny. This map will also show the
1cation of the principal roads,
chools, churches, railroads and wa
er courses.
Accompanying the map will be
omplete report on the nature of the {
oils, their suitability for growing t
arious crops, and suggestions for t
heir Improvement by fertilizers, COW t