32 ' BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



They now procure them via the St. John, and including some forty 

 miles or more of land carriage over a hard road, at a cost for freight 

 usually of about one-half the charge from Bangor. (/ 



An inspection of the map of this region -will show that its natural / 

 channel for communication is toward, and through New Brunswick ; / 

 and it would appear that the artificial channels which we have made/ 

 to connect it with other sections of our own State, have not prove(P 

 good enough to compete successfully with the St. John. As traflSc 

 ever seeks the most profitable channel as naturally as water seeks 

 its level, we cannot wonder, however much we may regret, that it 

 has nearly all passed into the Province ; nor can we wonder more 

 to find that the social intercourse and sympathies of the people have 

 followed in the same direction, and that, except in the matter of 

 jurisdiction, this vast and fertile region is (almost, if not quite.) as 

 really annexed to New Brunswick, as if so stipulated in the treaty 

 of 1842. ' 



The boundary line never here a practically serious obstacle to in- 

 terchange of commodities, has. since the reciprocity treaty went into 

 -.operation, been little more than a nominal one ; and the ease and 

 intimacy of communication will probably soon be greatly increased 

 by means of the St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad, now partially 

 constructed and vigorously prosecuted, and which it is anticipated 

 may be open for use as far as Woodstock or Richmond, near Iloulton, 

 in the course of another year. The southern terminus of this road, 

 St. Andrews, lies just opposite Robbinston, midway between East- 

 port and Calais, and the track, when completed, will for some dis- 

 tance run close to our border. 



Under date of November 1, 1857, a correspondent writing from 

 Fort Fairfield, says : 



" The St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad is now opened forty miles ; it will 

 be opened by next September to Riehmond and Woodstock, and be at Rich- 

 mond, six miles from Houlton. When compli'ted, it will run along near the 

 boundary line the whole length of the east Bide of Aroostook county, and will 

 be very convenient of access from the present settled portions of the county.'' 



Is there any other way in which Aroostook can be saved to Maine, 

 except either to "annex" New Brunswick, or underbid her in the 

 matter of facilities for communication ? 



The idea of a satisfactory connection with the Atlantic seaboard, 



