Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-05-29
State of Maine Agricultural Depart.
ment.

Al tue oucrs'kv W my uosy oo siS "e'S
by advised Of the action Of the State Board
OF Agriculture. At lis recent session ut Au.
gusta. in the passage OF the following vote
of direction to Agricultural Societies. viz
Voted. That the several Agricultural
Societies receiving bounty from the State
be. and they are hereby directed. to offer
in premiums for the encouragement OF whea,
couture. during the current year. sum not
less than one fourth OF the amount Of boun.
ty so received during the year"
This vote is grounded upon the ,uibority
given to the Board by statute enactment
II is binding upon your Society to this es-
you will not be entitled to bounty next
year.
It is discretionary with you to offer the
sum in such premiums. and for such areas
cultivated. or for such amount. Of wheat
produced. as you shall see fit.
As il seems probable that similar rule
will prevail next year (and perhaps longer)
/ STATE my impression in regard to this prob
ability. in order TO encourage the suitable
preparation OF land. for the future ptoduc.
ton Of wheat. during ibe presen, year.
Inasmuch As the aim Of tue Board. in this
exercise of its authority. may be forwarded
by understanding the objects in view. and
the reason therefor. better than by a bare
official notice Of the vote as passed, 1 take
the liberty OF suggesting a. follows.
large amount OF -four is annually
brought into the State. and for consump.
tion hy farmers. as veil as by those who
cultivate no land. II comes from constantly
increasing distances. and a, much greater
cost than formerly.
There are no insuperable obstacle. in the
& il and climate OF Maine TO the production
OF wheat. This is sufficiently shown BY the
fact that some farmers have grown all the
wheat consumed in their families. in each
year for twenty years past or more. and IS
they allege, TO better advantage than they
could otherwise obtain the werewithal 10
purchase it.
The chief cause OF the decline OF whea,
culture in Maine was the ravages o. the
wheat fly or nudge. often misca!led wecvil. }
which for \ term of years was terribly de-.
structiv-, and caused an abandonment of
the culture OF this grain by many farmers.
and with not few such that abandonment
has continued to the present time.
1t is undoubtedly true for many years
past the nudge, or lly has been less destruc.
tive than during the term Of years above
referred to. There is some reason for hope
that it may no, again become serious hin.
drance- This insect was imported hiiher
from Europe in the straw OF crates in who
crockery was packed. IL had been known
there for many years previously and it is
there still. The reason why it was less
harmful there than here was, that PARASITIC
enemy, in the shape OF another inset. an
'chneumon fly, prevented its great increase.
Unfortunately, when the midgc was b, ough,
to America, ITS natural eucmy did not &C.
company IL 10 keep las numbers in check. -
Laiierly IL has been asserted dat the same :.
or similar parasitic enemy has been OBJ
served in this country. II this lie true, anil
If the check alrsady observed be dn. 10 thi.
cause. we may reasonably expec, in future
that an eqnipoise may be maintained. and
that tins by, so dreaded heretofore, NAV
henceiorih cause no more anxiety here than
II does in Europe.
method Vt culture obtains in some parts
OF the State, and is spreading in others.
which deserves TO he grnerall, known. Ii
Is simply this to prepare the land thor.
oughiy in the fall by plougbiug and manur.
ing and TO follow this with seeding At the
earliest opportunity IN the spring-wben
the fiost is first out for little depth. |
have beard only one uniform testimony re.
garding the results by this method-,ba, !,
(other conditions being similarly more sue
cessful than any other Ana while ihi, yer
duet IS unanimous "a regards wheat Gu turr.
may also add. that the view. get forth in
. paper published in our Agricultural Re
port for 1866. entitled. "Plourbing ard
Msnoring ia Autumn are woribily attract.
ing increased attention in the farming com.
muni'y-ihat results Of Trial. so far AZ made
known to me. are decidedly in favor OF The
radical change there advocated. Of subsfitu.
ting autumn pioughing and manuring in
place Of spring blowing aud nanuring as
general practices.
In conclusion let me remark thar. as
wheat furnishes the most perfect article Of
human food. so its perfect culture demands
the exercise Of tho highest skill on the par,
OF the husbandman, and il is worthy Of
it--ibat the soils Of Maine are no worse
naturally, and no nearer being run out"
than were those Of European countries
good while ago. which now for long time