35 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



There seemed at this time a strong probability that ]MaIiie was 

 speedily to become a point of attraction for agricultural immigra- 

 tion. Shortly after this, the border troubles broke out, sometimes- 

 called the "Aroostook war," durino; the continuance of which, large 

 numbers of our citizens visited it, in the capacity of "civil posse," 

 or otherwise; some of whom eventually settled down upon the soil; 

 and those who returned, spread a good report of it; and on the 

 conclusion of the treaty in 1842, the promise ?)f speedy settlement 

 was more flattering; than ever before. How has it been fulfilled? 

 In 1840, the census returns state the population of Aroostook county 

 to be nine thousand four hundred and thirteen, from which, if we 

 deduct eighteen hundred and seventy-six as the number given of 

 those residing in that part of Madawaska north of the St. John, and 

 to which the United States relinquished claim by the treaty, we 

 have seven thousand five hundred and thirty-seven as then residing 

 within its present boundaries. Ten years subsequently, including 

 all attracted thither by the circumstances above referred to, we find 

 the population to be only twelve thousand five hundred and twenty- 

 nine.* In what proportion it has increased since then, there are na 

 means of ascertaining with precision ; but the opinion of those best 

 informed, of whom inquiry was made, was, that in the seven years 

 since, there may have been added three thousand or thirty-five 

 hundred inhabitants — perhaps five hundred per annum. This would 

 show that the population had about doubled in twenty years. At 

 such rate of increase, when will its capabilities be developed 7 It 

 may not be practicable to make an accurate estimate of Avhat these 

 are; but leaving out of account its mineral resources, its water power, 

 standing timber, and all else, let us attempt a rude approximation to 

 an estimate of the agricultural capabilities of a part. 



In that portion to which the foregoing remarks are confined, say 

 a third of the whole county, there are not far from a million and a 

 half of acres. To be moderate in our estimate of its natural fertility, 

 we will assume that it is capable of yielding ten bushels of wheat, 

 or thirty of oats, or a ton and a half of hay per acre, supposing 



* The remarks on page thirteen in regard to frosts in the unfavorable seasons, 

 from 1842 to 1846, will suggest one active cause in preventing more rapiil settle- 

 ment at that time. Since then, comparatively little has been done toward bringing 

 these lands to the notice of the public. 



