Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-19
AMnaltaral,
The Farmers Conreation.


Ex-Gov. Simon lsrown, of the New Eng
land Farmer. delivered lecture one
afternoon on the Improvements in Amer
lean Agriculture during the past Twenty
Years.
One-fiith of the population of the globe
are engaged in agricultural pursuits
Hence, the question of subsistence was
one of the greatest consequence. The
speaker rapidly glanced al some OF the
facts connected with this statement anu
stated that working oxen have increased
in value from ten to fifteen per cent dur
inc the last dozen years. Formerly a
fleece of wool weighing six pounds was
remarkably heavy one now they weigh
from twelve to twenty pounds. Not many
years ago, a three months old lamb, sold
for the SHAMELESS for al 50; now they sell
for the same purpose for ; per head ana
for breeding purposes, all the way rom
$50 to $500 Great improvement had also
been made in the value of pork. and IN
the Weld ofmilch COWS. II the yield OF
milk ofthe COWS in the State of Maine
could be increased one quart daily, 1t
woald add yearly value - their product
OF =. l90, 600. By jediciouS breeding and
MANAGEMENT. our stock Of horses have
been largely increased, and at no cost OF
Keeping. Like improvement hal been
made in the productiy eneSS otland by drai-
mage and reclaiming, blowing the better
use Of fertilizers. use of improved imPie-
meuts, DC.
The profits made upon the farm should
be returned TO IT, II invested in this way
they will give from fifteen 70 twenty per
cent. profit per annum, and stocks (money
secuities) in New England 30 no, give
but six per cent. One numbered dollars
made upon the farm in one year, and
ac-ain invested in work and Improvements
upon il, would give profit OF nearly fifty
per cent. per annum and farmers should
be induced to invest in such bank, rs 1t
never fails 10 discount These invest
ments are far more profitable and sure
than investments in mechanical or MGR
camille pursuits. The root crop of Eng
land had done much for the agriculture of
that country. and he believed would yet
do much for Us In the Improvements
made within the past twenty years, the
mechanic has done more than his part,
in consequence Of the implements and
machines for doing farm work his invent
i've genius has been brought forth. BY
these means Tie farmers boy can 30 the
work of ten men. Toe advantages of
transportation 10 the farmer were alluded
To. and the present Yields OF hay, corn,
wheat. and other crops in different States.
compared with what they yielded twenty
years ago. But the products of the field
90 of through city sewers. and something
must DC done 10 arrest This tremendous
drain which j. saPping our farms q q
great extent.
The discovery OF the fact that bone dust
rs 4 fertilizer was fourteen times a ef-
fective rs barnyard manure, was fact of
immense importance; and he thought the
agricultural condition ofthe country could
be indicated by the amount of sulphuric
acid IL consumed. In England, in one
wear q, 600 pounds of Sulphuric acid had
been used in di,>ol,iug bones, and ,ha,
too. in one little town
4 vast loss was experienced in the
practice Of sowing seed broadcast when
il Nigh, be drilled, and far better crop
obtained. In England So. OOO. 900 worth
OF seed was saved in = single year, by
drilling instead Of broadcast sowing of
seed and he believed S5OO.OOO was an
nually lost in Maine from q waste OF seed
in sowing. Ii we had the proper knowl-
edge Of the way 20 cultivate our soils.
their product could be trehled in few
years. Want of that knowledge was the
lion in the WAY of Improvement. That
knowledge could bc obtained. Isl, by in
dividual cfTovt-5y studying and adopt
ing the best practices of others. and by
putting in use s knowledge Of the sciences
IN their various spPlirations to the work
Of the farm Oh, by associated Effort the
work OF town clubs, county and State az
ricUlrIral societies, Industrial schools, &c.
These form moving cause Of a degree
of influence greatly 10 be desired, and
which cannot be broaght about by any
other agency.
In closing, he alluded to the approPria-
tons Of different STATES for the encourage
nm of agriculture tn the agencies in op-
GRAFTON ivr Tie iuda-t..,l education of or
youth. and advised the farmers of Maine
10 stay at home and improve the adyan-
tages with which they are surrounded.
\ discussion followed the lecture which
was engaged in by Dr. Geo b. Loring,
Gov. Brown, DIR. Boyn,on Of Vermont,
Hon T. 5 Lang, Mr.. ). F. Perley and
other gentlemen.
DIR. IORING OK RAISING NEAT STOCK.
In the evening Dr. Geo b. Loring Pres
ident Of the New Eagland Agricultural