SECRETARY'S REPORT. 53 



peritj of the common-wealth, because it involves the unfolding and 

 development of its immense internal resources now lying dormant 

 and unknown. The settlement of the new and fertile lands of 

 Maine therefore interests alike the farmer, the artisan, the merchant 

 and the professional men of the state — and directly and indirectly 

 affects their prosperity as individuals, as well as a body politic. 



Among the means to be adopted to secure this great end, we an- 

 swer, — first, better facilities of communication with the older parts 

 of the state, — thus enabling us to retain all its trade and its business 

 within our own borders — and affording our citizens a quick and eco- 

 nomical mode of reaching those lands, there to hew out for them- 

 selves farms in the wilderness. 



Secondly, by keeping before the people the capabilities and re- 

 sources of this region, which has until quite recently been an un- 

 known world to most of our people. There are various ways of 

 doing this. 



By the partial geological and agricultural survey of the state 

 much knowledge was disseminated. And if this survey could be 

 completed, and a knowledge of the agricultural capabilities of our 

 wild lands be placed before the public eye, it would be a prominent 

 means to bring about the object under consideration. 



The land agent's circular has been instrumental in directing the 

 attention of the people to these lands, and more especially the ex- 

 istence of a Board of Agriculture, in connection with the energetic 

 and well-timed labors of its secretary, who, in the summer of 1857, 

 traveled through Aroostook county for the purpose of learning some- 

 thing of its agricultural capabilities and resources. This informa- 

 tion has been disseminated throughout the state by means of his 

 annual report at once, and has been effectual in calling the attention 

 of the great mass of the people to the fertile land of northern Maine. 

 For the past year, much knowledge of Aroostook county has been 

 disseminated through the columns of the Aroostook Pioneer, a week- 

 ly paper printed in the very heart of the public lands. This press 

 ought to be liberally supported by the people of the state, whose 

 best interests it has done and is still doing, so much to advance. 



Hiram Stevens, 



Alfred Cushman, )> Committee. 



Seward Dill, 



