The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-01-24
Volume rs.
The procecdinss of yesterday were read and

Ihe prOcecuinSsVi W yoo'o"y "N'' iN"N ""s
accepted.
Mr.. wasson. Of the Business Committee,
reported list of Topics for discussion, to-
rether with the several committees Of each
They are ~ follows:
l-Our Agricultural Societies: what have
they accomplished, and what claims do they
present for aid from the State in the exist
ing condition OF the country? Messrs. Per-
ley, Wasson. Chamberlain, Weston, Mar
tin and Cargill.
2-0ught the farmers Of Maine TO modify
the character OF their efforts, in view Of the
present state and condition of the coun-
try? Messrs. Fish. Goodale and Waterman.
3-Agricultural Education: how shall it
hest be promoted? MesSrs. Weston, Nor
ton and Currier.
Maple Sugar: the Importance and meth
oil Of manufacture. Messrs. Perley, jew
EFT and Lee.
5-Flax culture as substitute for cotton
Nlsssrs. Lee, Currier and Fish.
6-By what me ms can the supply OF iertll-
izing materials be increased from home re-
sources? Messr. Martin, Jewett and
Norton.
T-Importance of Pedigree. Messrs. Was
son lIains and Lee.
S-Managemcnt Of Poultry. Messrs Dill,
Currier and Waterman.
9-Culture of Buckwheat. Mcssrs. Cham
berlain, Rogers and Hains.
The Board having at the last session, pass
ed resolves making IL duty for each MEM
her 10 prepare essays upon assigned topics,
aud present them at this session, much OF
the time was taken up by tho reading oi such
papers.
Mr.. wasson read report on"Sheep Hus-
bandry and Wool Growing" with sugges-
tions upon legislative action for encouraging
the same.
Mr.. Chamberlain presented a Report on
Carrot Culture" Mr.. Fish on the "Cul-
ture Of Turnips; and Mr.. Perley on the
keeping OF Farm Accounts ;" all Of which
were asst .ned for second reading to-mor-
row morning. Mr.. Pcrley's Report closed
with the following resolve:
RssOiped, That no person is entitled to the
appelation Of "a good farmer" who fails to
keep such an account rs will enable him TO
know. with good degree Of certainty, the
cost of his productions and secure to himself
the greatest profits from his labors.
Mr.. Jewett did not like the Resolve. He
thought but few were prepared to say who
was and who was not good farmer. lie
knew Of good farmers in his own vicinity
who knew nothing Of keeping accounts; who
were not business men; and yet they were
men of property-had acquired IL all by
flrming-and in some instances the net prof
its of their farms are not below 5000 per an
NUN. lie could not see the consistency of u
person keeping lengthy accounts in order to
become good farmer.
Mr.. Cargill was glad attention had been
called to the Resolve. IL would serve to stir
up the members to the consideration Of a
most important subject. He thought IT a
mau could make farming paying business,
and be good farmer, without keeping ac-
counts, much more could he by keeping
them be more thorough and complete iarm-
er. lie could better tell what did and what
did not pay, and he able TO judge in regard
to the relative profits and certain productions,
stock, &c.
The Resolve was discussed at some length
by Messrs. Cargill. Rogers and Jewett. and
laid upon the table.
In the absence ofothcr business, Mr. Was
son gave the results, so far as obtained, oi
certain experiments which he had 5een max
ing, concerning the manuring OF land with
green crops. Three years ago he plowed a
6eld of light sandy loan, about eight inches
deep, and ON the Goth Of May sowed it to
buckwheat. When it was in full blossom,
the field was rolled and afterwards plowed.
Ii was sown again to buckwheat, near the
last of August. Tho next spring it was
planted to Chenango potatoes, with the ap-
plication of small amount OF plaster to
each hill; the yield being IS bushels of mar
ketable potatoes per acre. Since then 1t has
produced over one ton Of witch grass hay tj
the acre the land having had but one dress
ing Of manure, other than the buckwheat
for 30 years. Previous to the plowing in OF
these two crops, il did not produce 500 lbs.
Of hay per acre. 1t now produces as much
hay as land side by side upon which twenty.
five loads of manure to the acre has been ap-
piled.
The Topic was then laid on the table for
further discussion hereafter.
Mr.. Wasson reported the following Topics
for discussion at informal meetings Value
Of Poultry Manure; Best Method Of curing
Hay: Are Crows friend or an enemy to
the Farmer?
A communication upon Undertaking.
having been received from Horace Brown OF
Penobscot county. the same was read by Mr..
Goodale; after which the Board adjourned.