POPULATION. The population grew from S5,425 in 1790 to 280,652 in 1830. Since that year the growth has been very slow, the number being, in 1890, 332,422, and in 1900, 343.641. The State ranked twelfth in population in 1790, twenty first in 1840, and fortieth in 1900. There has been a large influx of foreigners. The foreign born, in 1900, numbered 44,747, of whom 25,540 were Canadians. Vermont has the smallest per centage of urban population of any of the North Atlantic States. Burlington, the largest city, had, in 1900, 18,640 inhabitants; Rutland, 11, 499; and Montpelier, the capital, 6266.
REunioN. The early inhabitants were largely of flee English 'Non-Conformist' or 'independent' type, who became known as Congregationalists, and they have continued the strongest religious sect in the State. Later the Methodists became important. Still later the influx of foreigners brought a strong Catholic element.
Enu CATI ON. Before the population and wealth began to concentrate in towns the old district system affiirded uniformity in school conditions; but as a result of this movement there is a great disparity in school advantages. Many rural
schools are very small and have short terms. In 1893 there wars a change from the district to the town system, and through better transporta tion facilities some improvement has been made in the rural schools. Under the town system the high schools have improved, and there has been a 50 per cent. increase in the attendance. The average duration of schools has latterly been above 150 days. In 1900 there were 84,720 chil dren between the ages of five and eighteen, of whom 65,964 were enrolled, and 47,020 in average attendance. There were in that year 256 male and 2714 female teachers. The schools derive their main support from local funds and taxes, though some assistance is secured from a State school tax and a State school fund. Of higher institu tions the State supports normal schools at Ran dolph, Johnson, and Castleton, and a. State uni versity, including agricultural and medical de partments, at Burlington. The Congregational ists maintain a college at Middlebury.