The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-21
Volume IS.

ever these organizations have eItended 'ne'f
influence.
Through the same instrumentality thevai'
ne Of domestic animals has been very greatly
enhanced; and tho gain is not 50 much the
result of numbers as in the intrinsic value
of the animals. Thus is fed at less cost
the greater ralue, while the net profit is in
creased. Improved breeds are fast crowdlng
out Of sight the less thrifty and less profit
a3ls animals which have 90 long filled our
stalls and pens. In short, 1t is manifest to
every thoughtful observer that better farms
and farm buildings, better orchards and gar
dens, better implements and live stock are
every where to be seen. Although We can
not present in detail the precise gain made
in each particular, We propose to submit
some figures which may give satisfactory
view of the aggregate gain in regard to sew
eral of the more important items:
BY comparing the United States census rc'
turns for 1850 with those Of lS6O,' We find
the number Of acres in farms has increased
IRON 2,OS9 500 to 2.677, ,l36, or about 80
per cent.
Value Of farms in 1850, S54,s6l,74S; in
1860. S7S,6SS, SOS; being an increase OF 43
per cent.
Value of farm implements and machinery
in 1850, S2,2s4 ,5s7 ; in 1860, s3,29s,S97
being an increase Of "A per cent.
The improvement in stock is greater still,
and even surpasses our anticipations, oItrav-
agant as these have seemed to many.
Value Of stock in 1850, S9,705,726; in
in 1850, SIS 5,437 $50; showing an increase
Of SO per cent. That this is mainly the re-
suit of improvement appears from the fact
that in numbers our animals have increased
less than I per cent. during the same period.
This fact is farther shown in the value OF
laughtered animals, which in 1850 was
81 ,646,773, and had, in 1850, increased to
$780, ,l79, or more than 6S per cent.
We 10 not claim that all increase Of agri-
cultural property in the State is due to our
organizations, but we do claim that the va
rious improvements by means OF which this
great result has been brought about, were,
all Of them, initiated and steadily fostered
and encouraged by them, and that hundreds
and thousands of farmers who have never
been connected with them, but have even
snecred at their labors, have yet themselves
been excited to emulation, stimulated to i'm
provement, and induced to adopt better prac-
tices where they have seen them prove sue
cessful with Others.
Admitting, fos the sake Of argument, that
only half the gain indicated by the census
returns relative to the four items named
above i. the result, direct or indirect. Of as
sociated efforts, we still find that for every
dollar employed by the State in fostering this
great interest, during ten years past, (aided
by the larger voluntary contributions and
labors Of individually return has been real
lied Of more than thirty, or sirty, or an hun
dred fold.
OF the smaller associations, not stipendi-
aries Of the State, such as farmers clubs and
town exhibitions, we may remark, they are
the legitimate offspring Of those which the
State has encouraged by its patronage; the
practical manifestation Of that spirit OF in
ouiry and thirst for knowledge among farm
ers Of which we have before spoken. They
are unob,rusively but efIsctually accomplish.
ing good work.
COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL So
crErIEs.
These bodies arc doing what the smaller
ones or private individuals, from pccuniary
inability, could not do. Their combined
means have enabled them to introduce from
other States and other countries improved
stock Of various breds. better seeds Of differ
ent kinds, and the choicest varieties Of fruit;
thus afIording to all advantages which even
the most wealthy, when acting as individu-
ais, could hardly secure. They bring togeth-
er the farmers, their wives, sons and daugh-
ter, with their, various productions from
larger areas. Articles Of manufacture and
of art, too, are collected at their shows. ma
king much more instructive exhibition than
can be made by the smaller associations
The simple view by one OF what has been
accomplished by another, does much more to
excite emulation than mere improved tbeo-
ries, however finely drawn and attractively
presented, and each one returns to his home
from o well-conducted show with stronger
determination to improve upon his former
practice.
The money transactions Of these societies
for the last FIVE years, from 1857 to 1861 in
elusive, have been as follows:
Aid received from the State, sA,5i
sum raised by the societies from pri-
vate sources, ~'io<
Amount Of indebtedness OF the soeie-
ties for grounds and their improve =. o,o
ments, "'Voe
Total expended by the societies for
premiums, grounds and improve 0 .o.
ments, ... SsS,oss
Showing m annual average receipt
from the State OF 4,pS
i And from private sources Of lO,So