The History of Maine (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1892. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXIV. RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIES. Temperature and Climate -- Area--Water Power -- Forest Products--Fish and Game -- Agriculture -- Shore and Deep-Sea Fisheries -- Shipbuilding -- Granite, Slate, Limerock and Ice -- Manufactures -- Condition of Operatives -- Deposits in Savings Banks -- Railroad Systems -- Pleasure Travel--Lake and Seaside Resorts--Reasons why the People Should Be Contented with their Lot. TEMPERATURE AND CLIMATE. The State of Maine lies between the 43d and 47th degrees of North latitude, along the 45th parallel, which position gives it a moderate temperature and variable winds. The mean annual temperature of the whole State is about 40 degrees. The summer is cool, the winter not so severe as in corresponding latitudes in the interior. The climate is healthful, malarious fevers being unknown; although on the coast, where the moisture is excessive, diseases of the respiratory organs prevail. AREA. Presenting a broad base of 226 miles to the sea, with a hundred harbors opening on the great Gulf of Maine, the State extends in a triangular form nearly to the St. Lawrence, a distance of 250 miles. It has a width of 224 miles at its widest part, and an extreme length of 301 miles. The whole circuit of its boundaries is nearly 1,000 miles, and it has an area of 31,766 square miles, being nearly as large as all the rest of New England. WATER POWER. Few, if any portions of the earth's surface approach Maine in the extent, the volume, momentum and constancy of its water power. Its northern forests absorb the abundant rainfall like a sponge. More than 1,500 lakes serve as so many reservoirs for its retention, while their outlets, flowing through rock-bound beds, and falling in the short distance of 150 to 200 miles, from an average elevatio...