The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-21
agrnnltual.
Legislative Agricultural Report.

Mr.. Perley, for committee on the follow
ing topic, "OSr agricultural orgdnisGtions: /:
,rSst Aoce dcy accomplished, and rhdf CLAIMS
do they present for STATE patronage in The er-
is,ing condition Of the eouniry'" reported as
follows:
When work Of any considerable magni-
tude is to be accomplished, united effort is
found to be much more potent than that OF
isolated individuals. Accordingly, several
years ago, farmers, finding their gains not
commensurate with their efforts and with the
capital employed by them; and finding them
selves deficient in knowledge Of those prin-
ciples by which animal and vegetable life are
governed, conceived and adopted the plan OF
uniting their efforts in improving themselves
in the theory and practice Of agriculture
Such is the origin Of our agricultural organ
nations; and such the objects had in view.
The results, IL success attends them, are
greater independence in individuals, enhanced
value OF lands and other property in the
State, and greater ability in the inhabitants
20. sustain the burdens Of domestic life and oi
civil government.
Iyhai are he organizations 10 ,rhieh farm
s,s hare resoriedl Answer District Farm
ers' Clubs; Town Exhibitions; County Ag-
ricultural Societies; State Society, and a
State Board Of Agriculture.
What have these organizations accom-
plished' The inquiry may best be answered
by simple statement Of facts; nor is It
deemed necessary TO enumerate all OF these,
but only to present few, such as most read
lily suggest themselves, as type Of the 9TH
cr. From the nature Of the case, We are
unable to sum up in dollars and cents the
advantages which the agriculture of the
State has derived FROM these associations.-
And here We cannot refrain FROM again re-
newing the suggestions made by the Board
in former years, Of the benefits which might
be derived from more full and perfect statis-
tics Of the industry Of the State in other
branches Us well a. that Of agriculture. mas
much as kno,rledge Of facfs is The only safe
6asi, either Of legislation or of private enter
prise. But the advantages gained are, new
erthelcs-, just As real, il not Us apparent, as
If measured in federal currency. Some oi
them are Us follows;
BY the association Of the individuals COM
posing these bodies, mind acting upon mind
has elevated the standard Of intelligence
among farmers, and excited thirst for agri-
cultural knowledge which augurs well for
the future; not that they have already at
tanned to excellence, but are earnestly seek
ing it.
Through the direct influence Of these or
ganizations, may be traced, in many ipstan-
ccs. the value Of land enhanced irom 100 to
500 per cent; and this to the extent of ma
nv thousands Of acres within the State. Sat-
urated swamps, and other wet land. natural.
ly Of little or no value, have been relieved Of
their surplus water and brought under prof.
liable cultivation sandy, barren plains have
been reclaimed and rendered productive
while the acreable produce Of lands already
under cultivation, it is believed, has beer
largely increased yet the work Of land i'm
provemcnt has only commenced.
Better hrm-buildings, too, are every where