The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-02-06
NEW ENGLAND
FARMS ARE
PRODUCTIVE
Results of a Survey by
Boston Chamber of
Commerce

uatlOn.
Calling attention to the fact tha-
all New England is less in area
than half a dozen of the western
states like Kansas, Nebraska, the
it says that for her area she raise,
more farm crops than Texas, anC
in proportion to her area it raise;
more farm crops than either of the
Dkotas. This is because New Eng
land agriculture is intensive. Littlt
Connecticut leads in the produc,
ton of corn per acre. The survey
admits that the number of farm;
in New England is decreasing
but says this is true in three OF
The great geographical divisions.
When the last census was take
it Showed that something over halt
a billion dollars worth of farm
products were raised in New Eng
land on about 10000 farms. This
meant a gross return per farm OF
about $500. After paving for la
Dor, feed, fertilizer and interest
upon investment, the average fig
ured $4,000.
The product of New England
consists roughly of 50 ner cent in
crops; Is per cent in livestock pro
ducts; and 20 per cent in forest
products and miscellaneous. In
the production of vegetables, New
England exceeds any correspond
ing area except the country
abound New York CITY and Phila-
delphia. Our concentration of
cities insures a further develop
ment of market gardening and a
continuing. dairy industry.
New England farms tota Ian in
vestment of close to S100,000,000
in machinery, more per acre of i'm
proved land than any other part
of the country. In 1919 they paid
for labor S50,000.000, for feed $50,
100000 for fertilizer, S1S.000,O00
That farming pays is evident by
the fact that Maine is one of but
three states in which more people
live on property that thew own
free and clear, than in rented
homes.
Although we do not in general
raise cereals, New England is MAX
ing a real speciality Of sweet corn.
1t Is one Of the largest producers
of this native crop in the entire
United States, standing fourth in
rank. Sweet corn is of particular
value TO Us as a lar"0 ~alt of the
crop is turned Immediately over to
New England factories to be cam
ned
Much of the land which is being
used for orchards could not be en-
ployed to advantage for any other
purpose. Good profits are gained
from fruit because the picking and
much of the other labor must be
done by hand. The West has cap
italized its advantage by using
tractor machinery on great stretch
cs of level land to grow grain. But
in fruit culture this factor is Of
little economic advantage.
Where tobacco stops in the Con-
necticut Valley, onions begin. The
careful wedding required for cul-
onions calls for an un-
usual expenditure of hand labor.
Much of this is done by women
whose husbands work in factories
in the larger cities.
For two or three decades, the
West has advertised strenuously
its apples, until New England was
almost in danger of forgetting to
Fat its own fruit. During the past
few years, however, there mas
been a steady increase in the
of apple trees, particular
" in Connecticut, Rhode Islam !,
Massachusetts and Southern New
Hampshire. Many varieties of APP
pies originated here and cannot be
duplicated for flavor.
Although New England proba5-
" will always import hay from The
West and Canada a very large pro-
portion is drawn from Maine and
Vermont. 1t was partly because
he grass covered Green Hills If
Vermont were wonderful grazing
fields that made this state a leader
n raising Morgan horses and pure
bred sheep. The abundance of gra-
ing lands in Vermont is a "uar-
lnty of the continuance of il
iaily industry
The desire for fancy fresh eggs |
which is perhaps stronger in New |
england than anywhere else, an | !
-ou cannot fool New Englande. |
IN eggs, is a basic rock on which |
he poultry industry can rest |
.afcly.
Our poultry industry must de-
'elope more and more into a quail |
ty proposition. Cheap feeds raised |
near az hand enables the West to |
'aise hens cheaper than in New |
but as our cities grow |
more and more special poultry |
arms for fancy eggs will spring |
Up within the quick express radius.
There remain three or four mi
Tor specialties which, however, are |
# exceptional interest. Vermont
maple sugar has reputation
which insurcs a market for all tn 1t
he state will produce.
Along II or II lines New Eng
and can safely count upon a sub
taatial agricultural business. The
cry fact that New England has
ad TO turn from bulk production
o specialized farming, from ex-
pnsive to intensive cultivation,
as meant greater product per
ere and greater consuming
over for Boston merchants and
ycw England manufacturers. 1t
means making of farming as a
velihood more and more of sci
nee and a trade rather than
lerc expenditure of muscle.
The Green Mountain state mar
.cularlv in Addison county has
ONE of the best grazing land in
he country The tvDical farm in