2 AMERICAN FARMS. 



of observation, it can be plainly seen that a change had 

 set in. The building of highways among their lands 

 had ceased, the farms had not been subdivided for 

 the purpose of increasing their number, though the 

 majority of these lands are forest, or but half culti- 

 vated. 



The majority of the sons — brothers to the present 

 occupiers — have drifted away into other occupations ; 

 many, it is true, to make complete failures in the race 

 for wealth ; while others have gained high positions in 

 the professions, or have become rich and influential. 



On this strip of fine agricultural land, the farm pop- 

 ulation has actually decreased in the last forty years.' 

 During the twenty years, 1849-69, the number of 

 new dwellings erected was greater by 40 per cent, than 

 during the twenty years which followed. Moreover, 

 much finer buildings were erected during the first-named 

 period than in the latter, while they were paid for quite 

 as fully. 



Recently (June, 1889), I had occasion to travel by 

 highway through some sixty miles of the best agricultural 

 districts of this fine country. In this journey I passed 

 not less than six hundred farms, and throughout the 

 whole of it I observed not a single farm-house in course 

 of construction. But I did notice on the route one very 

 fine new residence being finished for the occupancy of a 

 government official, and another under extensive repairs 

 for the purpose of lodging summer boarders from the 

 cities, and also the foundation being laid for a custom- 

 house, the cost of which is to be six times the re- 

 quirements of the port in which it is to be located. 



' In this comparison are included young men and young women 

 furthering the interests of agriculture, and farm laborers. 



