Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-11-13
Farming in Maine.
EXTRACT FRoN GOV. oHAMBERIAIS's AID
DRESS

derstood and drcrird. We can bear TO see
how matters stand. IL appears that the
yearly value OF our hay. potatoes and grain
alone, at the lsst returns was not much
short OF thirty millions. ard Il We take ia
to account the other products OF our farms.
such as the smaller vegetables and fruits.
stock raising, and dom-stic manufactures,
it will swell the amoun, TO nearly City mil
lions annually business within the l-gi,
innate sphere Of agriculture. which ought
to be considered respectable in quantity il
not in quality, snd equalied by no other
State in New England except Massachu.
sets.
have been curious TO learn why. with so
large an amount of business. this deprecs.
tory feeling prevails and have taken some
pains to see II II was poor returns that caus-
ed il. Statistics show that when We DO try
we succeed well enough II will be CRAFTY.
ing. perhaps surprising, to you to know,
that in the yield OF the principal crops We
range mnrh beyond the average OF the whole
United States; for example in 1866. We
exceeded the average OF the States ia corn,
by eight bushels TO the sere-wheat % A.
rye 4--barley 2-buckwhcst l0-potatocs
90 and in most other things IN similar pro-
portion. These stat isti,-s show some curl
Gus things. Wheat, that We think We can't
raise. gave US in 1866. five bushels more to
the acre than the average OF Illinois. Indi-
I
more to the acre than the average OF Penn,
Delaware and Mary land while hay that
we think We cum raise, wedding half ton to
the acre less than the other States | have
named. Moreover, it lie our principal arti
Gle OF produrc--thc crop o. 1866 beng oil
the market value of SIS. 500. 900 vet he
yield was less TO the acre than that Of any
State in the whole coun,ry-viz: s 10 of A
ton.
For one, II appears to me that these few
careful statistics should stimulate to very
different state OF fcrling and practice from
that which prevails lS6G NAV have been
remarkable year. but that such a result is
possible at any lime, ought at least to silence
the grumbler, aud shame The slnggard
Now there are some inlcrences from ,hesc
figures let, We see that our principal crops
are made so by large breadths, not by large
yields-,hc tendency is TO increase the area
rather than increase the fertility. 81 the
land is not at fault Properly treated it
yields as good roiGrns for labor rs any State
IN the country. ) B. We are not vet perfect
in our theory or practice OF cultivation.
These differences may bee taken As q rough
statement OF the ease pro aud can aud they
afford he basis ioi the frank and friendly
suggestions which venture TO offer here
Y on will take them Tor no more ,han they
are worth
The practical question now is to what
shall We look for and aid to improve
ment IN agriculture. Let u at the outse,
dismiss the thought tina, Legislation holds
the keys oil our destiny The State has
been liberal towards Agricultural Interests
and is willing 10 do more still. But as for
any direct subsidy. or laws layorably dis
eliminating 1t does not seem TO mr thai
would he of any good ,Frci. The best
that Legislation can do for Agriculture i.
to give fair field and free run. Trade
is IT'S own regulator. Supply and demand
make their own laws and We canno; mend
them much. The best effec, OF boupties
and prizes. / take D.. i go stimulate 10 eN
pertinent, and diffase know e.lse hv COM
petition. But tue very same rcsult j. effect.
ed by a steady niarkc, AID brisk demand
lou did not hear peUpl, ask Tor specsAi
privileges when the war came down on d,
with It's hungry mouths They didn't dis
cuss tie tariff, Free trade sud protection
whislIed Yauke' Dood ,s ZACH other q.
they whirled their wool aud leather and bay
and cattle 10 the front There was no lack
OF materials, and there ws> no lack OF means
the moment there was strong demand
III Legislation can iu any way reach the IL,
mand, there IS the field Tor tt. Iit canb,
wise policy encourage related induuri,.
give impetus to latent energies, stimula e
all handicralis and arts OF hle call IN and
sustain an active aud healthy population.
IL will do more for agriculture than bv anv
direct aid whatever
What we want then. j. home marke
close home. That more than anything
else will render the pursuit Of agricuItur,
profitable and popular Then will follow
--reaeIing aud interaciing-- Improvement.
IN culture higher intelligence letter man
ners; better arts aud when tlso true ends
are realized. happier condition Tor 90
iety and for ibe good and glory 81 the
Stale.
Now there are some little matters o. no