Northfield — Industries

Extracted from "History of the Connecticut Valley in Massachusetts, Volume II," by Louis H. Everts, 1879.


      Northfield is a rich agricultural town, and the energies of its people are devoted almost entirely to the cultivation of the soil. According to the State reports of 1875, the value of agricultural and domestic products in the town for that year was $267,021, that of manufactures but $59,855, and the number of farms 269.
      Ten years ago tobacco-growing upon the river bottomlands, which extend north and south through the town, was pursued to a great extent, and previous to that time it was a highly profitable industry but it has latterly much declined, and during 1878 but about 100 acres of tobacco were grown, or less than one-fourth of the amount planted in 1868.
      Corn and broom-corn are extensively cultivated, while the yield of agricultural products generally is considerable, and the condition of the people accordingly a comfortable and prosperous one. There is at Northfield village the manufactory of A. W. Ross, who makes horse-hoes and cultivators, and this is, except a few saw-mills, the only manufacturing interest in the town. Walker & Sanderson, at Northfield village, make extensive purchases of the tobacco-leaf in this and adjoining towns, and have prepared it for other markets.
      The total valuation of the town in 1878 was $667,085, of which $586,513 was on real estate. The total tax, State, town, and county, $8124.44, or at the rate of $1.22 per $100. The total indebtedness of the town in February, 1878, was $141.53.



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