Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-24
agricultural.
Maine Board Of .Aoricuttare.
Semi Annual Session and Farmers Com
vention.



running down. Had a field of 20 acres
and more, which has been in cultivation
in oats and peas every year from Is to so
years. Thought peas and oats will grow
we'll when oats alone cannot be raised.
Mr.. Goodale said, we need to learn The
experience of all, il possible, for the
practice of no two persons is perhaps ex-
actly alike. So it is only by comparing
notes that we can gain the facts. One OF
the lessons learned Is that we have cut
down too much wood, and deuudcd our
our State Of It's forests Another IS. W.
have kept too much land under the pillow
The best step we could take would be to
let one halt The land now cultivated grow
up to wood and cultivate the rest better.
Referred to case OF topdrcsSing by Mr..
Perloy. Of Naples. which did no pcrcep-
tible good. bat this is an exception and
not the rule.
Mr. SWEETS experience had been that
it does not pay to topdress on dry, gran.
itic soil, but on some damp soil he spread
wood ashes with the best results. Pre-
fers them to barnyard manure. for top
dressing. II pays best TO topdress with
banyard manure on land which is in
good condition, but ashes are best for
poor soils.
Mr. Bracket, OF Belfast did not think
high cultivation had everything to do
with the lacl, of the hay crop this year,
but rather the grasshopper scourge and
the drouth which killed the grass plants
upon the soil without regard TO the con-
dition Of cultivation.
Mr.. Halves. of Union, thought we
cannot bring in our hay fields unless they
arc plowed. MANFRED and reSecded We
cultivate too much soil
The Convention adjourned till evening,
and the Board went into business ses-
sion. Several committees were appoint.
ed. and some routine work disposed Of
MIR. BUCK on AGRICULTURAL DISCUSSION
UNDERDRAINING.
Ec:Huqg Session Mr. Asa Smith, Of
Mattawamkeag, in the chair. The first
matter presented was paper on The
Advantage OF Agricultural Discussion "
by Mr.. Buck, OF Orland He opened by
giving a brief account of the condition OF
agriculture aud the prices OF agricultural
productions in the earliest period OF the
settlement OF this country. Their meth.
DDS of farming were Of the most print.
tive kind lie gave 4 historical account
OF the methods Of cultivation pursued,
and compared them with those of to-day.
The first agricultural society was formed
in 1909, and the first exhibition was held
year later. Thus the leaven began TO
work until to-day. these societies are seat
tered all over our land He referred 10
the present advanced condition OF our
agricultural implements, which il would
seem have almost reached the perfection
OF art. The improvement in the breeds
Of cattle, was also referred to. beginning
with the little, mean native stock and
ending with our present beautiful, dis
tinct breeds. Also of tho improvement in
fruit, which has been great.
Agricultural literature Is Of compare
lively recent date. From a lew publ.
cations they have grown so fast until cot
making" agricultural papers there is no
end" The farmers club Is o ancient
date. Il 10 there that we get practical
facts. What we want is more of fact
and less Of theory Book writer's do not
always know everything Of which they
propose TO treat. He gave an outline Of
The method Of conducliuga farmers club.
Its there We get the practical intorma.
lion We so much need Il is there we
get the opposite of book farming.
The paper was laid upon the table,
and an article on Undertaking was
presented by Mr.. lIawes, member from
Knox county The paper comprised the
experience OF the writer, who has prac-
liced undertaking Tor 10 years. BY 50
doing, he has made what was his poorest
land the best ON the farm. The ideas
brought cat were not new or especially
important
Mr.. Seaman said there are many IN
telligent farmers in Maine to-day, who
do not believe in the utility Of under.
draining. and he thought ii well for Us to
discuss the matter and convince the skep-
tics, il possible Believed in thorough
undertaking, and there are very many
farms in Maine which would be greatly
benefited by being uuderdrained. lie
gave an account Of his experience in the
different methods OF undertaking., OF
which he has lald between six and seven
miles. How deep would you lay drain?
Why, lay it deep enough to keep clear of
the frost, even if it must be four or five
teet deep. The water passes through the
pores OF the drain tile, and is carried or
Where stone is plenty advised it, use for
drains. Gave description OF the differ
eut methods OF constructing stone drain
Mr.. Wasson disSented from some OF the
positions taken by the writer Of the paper,
and the gentleman who followed. But
he doubted the ACCESSIBILITY of all our
farmers in the present condition of our
agriculture. going to the expense u
thorough understanding Did not speak