The Portland daily press., 1867-02-01

lssI L q vf q
The annual session of this body as teld in
its room in the State Capitol, Augusta, from
Jan. 10th to the 26th last. 1t cons lists of six
teen members, one for each of the fifteen
counties. and one representing the Maine
State Agricultural Society. Samuel Wasson,
Esq, OF Hancock county was elected Presi-
dent of the Board, Hon. Asa Smith of Penob-
scot county, Vice President, and S. L. Goodale
Esq. Of York county, Secretary. Mr.. G. has
sustained this office for several years, and has
discharged its important duties with much
ability and great public acceptance. His An
nual Reports made to and published by the
Legislature, have always contained much val
nable information and have contributed
largely to promote the cause of Agriculture,
not only in Maine, but in other States for
no State has had so good Reports as his. They
have been extensively called for and circulat-
ed widely throughout the Union. -' IA.
,, On the afternoon of the first day, thirteen
topics, in an interrogatory form, were assign
ed to different members of the Board They
were as follows: tharlli1srs .9li.l
q 1. Under what conditions will agriculture
in Maine be most successful? French of
Franklin. BcL -4a..i-a ar
2. To what extent can the preparation of
the soil for crops be proftably carried in Au-
tumn.-Smith of Penobscot ~
g. In what manner and to what extent
should farms be fenced?-Prince of Andro-
scoggin. ait f1 5. l.- fs .f..ut..- -.a.t
4. The construction of barns.--Farley of
Lincoln. ~
5. To what extent should mixed husbandry
be ced?-Carpenter of Kennebec.
Q. What are the best methods OF seeding
down to grass ?-Ayer of Waldo. a5
y T. do health and economy require more at
tention on the part OF our farmers, to the pro-
duction and use of garden vegetables and
fruits ?-Chamberlain Of Maine State Society.
8. The imperfect obligations-as their dis
charge affects the physical as well as moral
health of the farmer and his family.-Dana of
Cumberland. rtr .U 'artr 3l
0. Are the direct and indirect advantages of
sheep husbandry with the present tariff on for
elsn wool such as to warrant its increase in
Maine Moore of Somerset A
III. Which is the more profitable, the rais-
ing of cattle or sheep?-Homes of fOxford.
IL. By what practical method can an effec-
tive and useful connexion between the Indus
trial College and the common schools be et-
iCCtCu s-Dlhc vi Ctl4,dud0Oc.
IL. Can artificial manures be profifablv used
and ii so, what kind, and to what extent p
Wasson of Hancock. .Ie .ss 4.I
81 IL. The comparative advantages of the cul-
ture OF Indian corn and the smaller grains
Jefferds of Piscataquis.
Some of these questions, perhaps, are so
general as to afford scope for too much of
mere theory and speculation; yet, several of
them are of considerable practical import
ance. star II, aa- t...,..- .f
On the afternoon of the second day. Mr..
Jeflerds of Piscataquis read paper which he
had prepared on the Raising of Horses, and
Mr.. Chamberlain of the State Society made
Report on Apple Orchards. This elected
discussion, which is briefly reported in the
Maine Farmer, to which we are indebted.
Mr.. Dixie Of Bath believed there was no diff
ficulty in raising fruit anywhere in the State
of Maine, where our apples are superior to
those of any other State in New England 1t
was very important to keep out the grass, and
to thoroughly manure tie soil. He had apple
trees upon cold, wet soil, but had been un-
successful with them until he underdrained
the soil, and gave the ground thorough cult
walton. Black-heart cherries with him, upon
the above soil, had borne abundantly the past
season, and he attributed it largely to heavy
top-dressing with compost manure He al
luded to the Importance of cultivating the
land on which trees were grown 9, and deem
ed itas necessary to cultivate an orchard as a
corn fieM.
MIR. Dana Of Portland concuned in the same
idea and said: .. ...-. .5
The proper place to plant tree is on the
top OF the ground, not in hole. A tree can
not live in cold, wet soil, without under
draining. The rootlets make poor growth
if confined in hole, but if covered with the
material nature provides they succeed admir-
ably. lie believed the soil of an orchard shouid
be kept open the same as with any otner
crop, and no crop should be allowed near tne
trees, or within reach OF the roots. RAPIDLY
grown wood contains superaouhuahce OF
san. and hence the tree is injured by the frost
He regarded the super-phosphate OF the Cum
berland Bone Company the best manure for
annie tree, he had ever used, as it produces
good hal d wood, but he would not have il nnt
too near the tree. Dwarf apples will produce
in two years from time Of planting, and Red
Astrachan apple, on tree not higher than
his head, boie much better than some on
larger uees. In this climate our orchards
must be protected from the winds. He would
recommend belts of trees on the windward
side OF the orchard for this purpose Ii these
cannot be secured, slat fence will answer the
purpose, having the boards about one inch
apart. The subject Of injurious insects is OF
great Importance, and he thought it should
receive the earnest attention OF the members