1837.] 



FARMERS' REGISTER. 



763 



Maine, and this from the natural condition of the 

 soil. To a siranger, unacquainted with the hardi- 

 hood and spirit of the people, it is matter of diHi- 

 cuk solution how the inluil)ilauts of this state are 

 sustained. There are it is true, some sunny spots. 

 Some extremely well managed and heautiful farms 

 are to be met with in Greenland near Porlsinoath. 

 There is some good cultivation near Exeter and in 

 Salisbury on the Merrimack. There is excellent, 

 I may justly call it pattern farming among the 

 Shakes at Canterbury and EndtieJd, whei-e all 

 that persevering industry and untiring labor, ap- 

 plied with skill and judgment can accomplish, 

 seems to have been done. There is excellent 

 farming in that part of New-Hampshire, which 

 lies upon Connecticut river; at VValpole, Charles- 

 lown, Claremont, Lebanon, Haverhill, and J^an- 

 casler. But a considerable jiortion of this state is 

 doomed to perpetual unfruitfulness ; is covered 

 with mountains of granite, which dely all culti- 

 vation, and subject to late vegetation in the spring 

 and early autumnal frosts, discouraging to the en- 

 terprise, and often liilril to the labors of the hus- 

 bandman. Indian corn is in most parts of the state 

 a precarious crop. "Wheat, in those parts of the 

 state where it is ai all cultivated, has ibr three or 

 four years, been much cut olf by the grain worm. 

 Rye is in no part of New-England a large crop ; 

 and this too, has suH'ercd severely from the same 

 pest. Some small amount of cattle are raised, but 

 the severity and length of the winters make this 

 an expensive process. On some of the Connecti- 

 cut river lands the crops of oats have been abun- 

 dant, in some instances rising to ninety bushels to 

 the acre; but nolliing like this is to be generally 

 calculated upon, and hardly nn approach to the ne- 

 cessary supply of bread stuff' is at any time produ- 

 ced in the state. There are some valuable intervale 

 lands near the head water? of the Saco, which pre- 

 sent favorable examples of good cultivation; but 

 they are quite limited. Considerable portions of 

 the state are well adapted to the growth of wool ; 

 and at present New-Hampshire may boast o( some 

 as well managed flocks, and the production of some 

 as fine wool, as any part of the world can furnish. 



Vermont is, undoubtedly, the best, as it is the 

 most exclusively agricultural state in New-Eng- 

 land. The Indian corn crop in Vermont, is how- 

 ever, a very precarious crop on account of the cli- 

 mate; and it produces at present, comparatively 

 little wheat. Wheat was farmerly cultivated in 

 Vermont with much success, but for various rea- 

 sons the cultivation Ibr a few years past has fall- 

 en off. Wool is now the great object of attention, 

 and the sheep husbandry is pursued with enfinent 

 skill and advantage. Vermont likewise may boast 

 of some of the finest dairies in the country; and 

 a large amount of butter and cheese are sent out 

 of the state. The town of Barnet, on the banks 

 ofthe Connecticut, has been long and deservedly 

 celebrated for its careful cultivation and excellent 

 dairy produce. The agriculture ofthe towns on 

 the western side of the mountains, and on the 

 lake shore, is very superior. 



The agriculture of Massachusetts, is, with few 

 exceptions, in a comparatively humble state. 

 Ol' bread stuff', it produces but a small part of its 

 necessary supply. Of wheat, a very small amount 

 is raised. Of rye, much more than of wheat, but 

 the amount is not large. Indian corn is more large- 

 ly cultivated, but the farmers who produce more 



Vol. IV— 95 



than five hundred bushels per year, are a small 

 number. Barley is cultivated to some extent in 

 some parts of the state; in others the cultivation 

 has been abandoned on account ofthe grain worm, 

 believed to be the same by which the wheat has 

 been cut off, but this fact is not as yet ascertained. 

 Oats are a small crop, and great quantities ofhorse 

 feed, oats, corn, and hay, are imported into the sea- 

 ports and their vicinity. A considerable amount of 

 broom corn is raised; and the brush is manulactured 

 and sent inlo-diiierenl parts of the union; and the 

 hops grown in this state, Vermont, and New- 

 Ham|;shire, form in some years a notable article 

 tor exportation. Considerable beef is liiitened in 

 Massachusetts ; and Worcester and Berkshire 

 counties especially, are extensively engaged in the 

 business of dairying. A large amount of wool, and 

 some ofthe finest qualities are growni in this state. 

 The culture ofthe mulberry and the leeding of 

 silkworms are begining to be objects of attention. 

 Some hemp and tobacco are raised, but the culii- 

 valion is quite limited. Massachusetts however, 

 though highly spirited, enterprising, and liberal in 

 her agricultural improvements, by means of well 

 manni/'ed societies, liberal donations I'rom the state, 

 and thedisinteresied efforts ot'maiiy eminent indivi- 

 duals, has comparatively little agricultural wealth-, 

 the tiirms are generally small, and in many cases 

 cultivated as an appendage to a trade, prolijssion, 

 or some commercial pursuit. 



Rhode Island is essential! v a manufacturing and 

 commercial community. With the excepiinn of 

 a lt»,vv liivored spots, the soil is steril and liard of 

 cultivation. The island itself, from which the 

 state derives its name, is singularly beautiful in its 

 posiiion and aspect, in most cases of a strong and 

 |)roductive soil, and having singular advantages 

 l()roblaining manure, on accountof its proximity to 

 the sea. Much sea grass, rock weed, and kel(), are 

 obtained, and in some places fish, the munhaden, 

 which are taken in great abundance, are li-eely and 

 successfully used. With the exception, however, 

 ofthe product of potatoes, and especially of onions, 

 which it grows to a large extent, the stale has no 

 agricultural produce to export; and is almost wholly 

 dependent on other places for its supply of bread. 

 Connecticut likewise is a nianuliicturing state; 

 and agriculture scarcely exists as an exclusive 

 profession. Some parts of Connecticut have been 

 long remarked f()r the extensive cultivation of on- 

 ions, and a considerable amount of wool and to- 

 bacco is raised in the state, but its agricultural pro- 

 ducts are by no means equal to its wants. Con- 

 necticut has some large, and is full of small man- 

 ufacturing establishments; and no part of the 

 United States has a greater appearance of neat- 

 ness, comfort, and good economy. Its manu- 

 factured articles are found in all parts ofthe union. 



It is sometimes asked how, with a soil and climate 

 not very propitious, the Yankees live, and live in 

 comfort; and if they do not acquire large and over- 

 grown fortunes, yet present more than a fair 

 proportion of examples ofhumble competence, and 

 as much independence as usually falls to the hu- 

 man condition? The answer may be compre- 

 hended in three words, industrj^, enterprise, and 

 frugality. Climate and soil may be agninst them, 

 but the condition in which Providence has thrown 

 them, contributes to nourish a spirit of self-depen- 

 dence, and to form a hardihood of character, 

 which is the foundation of their success. Their 



