gg BOAKD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of repair, and for these even, you people west of us oppose every ap- 

 propriation made. Give us a railroad, and Aroostook will speedily 

 become as a garden." Of this feeling of isolation, I may here 

 remark that it is evidently no sham, but a reality, and uncon- 

 sciously betrayed in many ways, even in the most casual remarks 

 or inquiries; as, "you are from outside, I -preswrnef^ "when did 

 you come i«?" &c. 



It is very possible that you, viewing the subject from a different 

 stand point, and bringing to its examination the analysis of states- 

 men, may be able to look deeper and to discover causes less patent 

 and obvious to them, why progress hitherto has been so slow, and 

 not merely in connexion with this comparatively small fraction of 

 our territory, but with regard to the State at large. Into other 

 sister States there has poured an unceasing tide of population from 

 abroad, during the very years in which we have scarcely held our 

 natural increase. May there not be something radically defective 

 in a policy, which, with all our acknowledged resources, has thus 

 resulted, and is there not a probability that a broader and more 

 liberal policy, one which shall be equally removed from any just 

 imputation of heedlessness or imprudence on the one hand and of 

 the torpor of ultra conservatism on the other, may produce a heal- 

 thy, active and permanent improvement ? 



Pertinent also, as preliminary to its solution, may be the inquiry, 

 what has been done effectively in other similar cases to induce rapid 

 sale and settlement 1 It is believed that examination will show that 

 in all such cases, facility of communication is the first point, an 

 indispensable requisite, and in this age, if there be none furnished 

 by nature sufficient to float a steamboat, nothing short of an iron 

 rail will suffice. Who would expect rapid settlement of lands, be 

 their fertility what it may, which are located neither in the vicinity 

 of navigable water, nor within fifty miles of a railway ? 



Next in the list of successful means, may be found some efficient 

 agency to diffuse reliable information regarding the fertility of soil, 

 character and proximity of markets and all other inducements to 

 purchase for settlement; perhaps a hint might be obtained from the 

 operations of other States who appoint commissioners of immigration 

 or of land companies who employ agents. The men thus engaged, 

 leave no means untried to accomplish their aim. The press is put 



