102 



has been extensively introduced, thus opening up an escape from labor- 

 difBculties. 



In the States north of the Ohio Eiver improvements have been thor- 

 ough and wide-spread in the use and economy of labor, in improved 

 processes of culture, and in general and special farming intelligence. 

 Draining and underdraining in single counties, during the past year, 

 have added thousands of acres of swauii)-lands to the productive area, 

 and have improved the fertility of thousands more. The difficulties of 

 the labor question are felt here as elsewhere, but they are met with in- 

 telligent and persistent effort, the good results of which are already 

 visible. In some newer counties where cultivation is yet in its infancj , 

 and in some older counties where it labors under old traditions, our 

 correspondents reluctantly report no visible progress; but even in these 

 cases the advance of ten or twenty years is quite marked. 



West of the Mississippi the extent of newly-settled land, and -the brief 

 l^eriod of its cultivation, preclude the gathering of many lessons from 

 experience, while the abundance of a virgin soil has prevented the ne- 

 cessity of improvement from being felt, yet the spirit of progress is 

 strongly developed in numerous localities. There is already a partial 

 substitution of recuperative for exhaustive culture. The increase of 

 agricultural reading, and the popular anxiety to secure the latest and 

 best processes of culture, are auguries of good. 



On the Pacific coast agriculture has been compelled to adapt itself to 

 new natural conditions and resources. In many counties this problem 

 is treated with a sober and scientific intelligence, from which permanent 

 and satisfactory results have already sprung. Here, also, the labor 

 question has been prominent, and the necessity of improvement sharply 

 impressed by circumstances. Our reports from the Territories show an 

 unexpected adaptation of new processes and implements, even upon the 

 frontiers of civilization. 



The following notes from our correspondence will give some idea of 

 the state of improvement in different States : 



Maine. — Sagadahoc: Nearly all of the improved implements are now extensively 

 used in this county. Waldo: Increased use of machinery in agriculture. Agricultural 

 publications all more largely patronized, better stock is boing introduced, and farmers 

 are taking a higher social position. Penobscot : The severe drought of the previous 

 years cut short the hay-crop, and we were forced to make a little take the place of 

 much, hence we gave our stock about two-thirds as much hay as formerly ; the stock 

 was healthier, and did better every way. Franklin : Gradual introduction of labor- 

 saving machinery. York : No improvement ; the young men go into other callings. 

 Androscoggin : Not noticeable. Oxford : None. 



New Hampshire.— ;S«?nraH ; Improved machinery, so far as adapted to our rough, 

 high land ; nice new residences, with clean grounds, painted fences, and improved out- 

 buildings. Cheshire: Improvements shown iu a comparison of the mode of making 

 hay at the present time with the method pursued twenty years ago, when a man 

 with 50 acres of grass would emiiloy about five hands, with their scythes and hand- 

 rakes, five or six weeks to secure it, while it would now be secured iu much better 

 condition by three men with a mowing-machine, hay-tedder, horse-rake, and hay-caps, 

 in twenty days. The saving is equally as great by the use of improved machinery in 

 the cultivation of crops. Carroll : The day is not far distant when the men who till 

 the soil must do it scientifically, or they will fail of a competence. Strafford : Not 

 worth naming. Belknap : Very' little. Coos : But for the machinery akeady intro- 

 duced our land would be turned to pasture or forest. 



Vermont. — Addison : Improved condition of farms, buildings, and neat stock. Frank- 

 lin : Marked improvement iu our dairy products, the result of more systematic and 

 rational processes, and of advanced intellimance and skill ; the improvement of our 

 dairy-stock has been very considerable, both by rational breeding and by judicious 

 purchast s from abroad. Washington : Greater use of machinery. Rutland : Improved 

 machinery, but declining cultivation. Caledonia: Improved dairying. Essex: Im- 

 proved machinery. 



Massachusetts. — Plymouth : Improved farming utensils are in use, but the general 

 condition of farms and farmers is much the same as many years ago. Farms are not so 



