The Mkkits of ouu State. 533 



THE MEHITS OF OUR STATE. 



BY M. O. HOWE, OF FAYETTEVILLE. 



Though I have what may seem to the lovers of Vermont 

 a suggestive and fruitful topic, yet 1 must ask you to indulge 

 me in the use of that which is sometimes considered dry 

 and ill-adapted to a public address. I propose to call 

 attention to some statistical facts shown by the census and 

 the Keports of the Department of Agriculture. I have 

 heretofore, with considerable labor in collating from these 

 sources, compared the agricultural products of this State 

 with other States, and have communicated the results of the 

 comparison to the press. The facts may not be new, but 

 they will bear repetition till the merits of our State arc bet- 

 ter understood and appreciated. 



The extremely favorable exhibit of this State, when com- 

 pared, according to the number of acres improved, and the 

 value of products, with the fertile States ot the West, has 

 been a matter of surprise to many. The comparisons that 

 follow are not made to disparage the West, or any portion 

 of our common country. We are all citizens of one great 

 nation, to wliich we owe the first allegiance. We have an 

 interest in the prosperity of every part of it. Least of all 



