174 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



With regard to tins last named town, it may not be amiss to 

 say that by the census of 1850 it contained less than eight 

 hundred inhabitants, so that it is clear that from some sections 

 of the State, at least, emigration prevails extensively. 



Whatever may be the influences so actively at work among 

 us, and which threaten to carry away so large a portion of our 

 young men, the bone and muscle and future hope of the State, they 

 should be thoroughly probed, and if there be any remedy, it 

 should be applied without delay. 



This is not deemed the place to discuss at length, a subject 

 involving the interests of all other classes in the commonwealth 

 not less than of agriculturists, and I will merely remark, that if 

 it be really true that Maine is fit only to emigrate from, we 

 may as well submit to this depopulating process with what 

 grace we can; but it is believed that a candid and critical ex- 

 amination of our facilities for agriculture, commerce and manu- 

 factures, will show that not only have we been underrated 

 abroad, but that we ourselves by no means fully appreciate our 

 actual position and resources. Look at the extent of territorj^, 

 equal to that of the other New England States combined; at 

 tlie natural fertility of our soil, which may safely challenge com- 

 parison with that of the Canadas on the one hand, or of the 

 other New England States on the other ; at our navigable streams, 

 fine harbors, (it is not alone the opinion of an ex-Presidcnt 

 that Maine may yet be the commercial State of the Union) and 

 more than six hundred miles (including indentures) of sea coast, 

 at our mineral wealth, our numerous water-falls, the salubrity of 

 our climate, and other resources and advantages, and may we not 

 well ask, before assenting to any such proposition, for substantial 

 evidence that our young men may not do as much good and get 

 as much good in Maine, as any where else on the face of the 

 earth? Other spots may possess greater mineral wealth, or 

 be more fertile, but is gold or grain the only consideration to 

 be taken into account in choosing a residence ? Is success in 

 living our brief term here, to be measured only by dollars or 

 bushels ? 



We are shown glowing pictures of the fertility of the prairie, 

 and of the wealth of golden sands, but is the whole picture 

 fairly drawa ? Are the ten thousand discomforts and perils 



