Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-10-17
agricultural,
Maine. Board of agriculture.
semt-Annuai session and Farmers Com
vention.


vention.
The regular semi annual session of the
Board of Agriculture, in connection with
which was held Farmers Convention,
was held at the village of Lincoln in Pc.
nobscot County, commencing Tuesday.
Sept. 18th. and continuing three days
FIRST DAY.
Forenoon Session. The Board held a
short business session, after which the
Farmers Convention opened. The mem.
bers were welcomed to the village i'm an
address by Hon. VIM. K. Hersey, and re-
marks Were made by other citizens,
which were responded TO by Mr., L, A.
Gilbert OF Androscoggin County, Vice
President OF the Board. and in the alb
Sence of Mr.. Thing. chairman of the
meeting. and other members OF The Board.
The first question taken up for discus
sion was: The present condition OF the
hay crop in our Stale. Mr.. WATSON OF
Ellsworth spoke very iavorably OF the Al
sike clover as being more nutritious and
more hardy than the red which has been
almost entirely killed out, while the al
sike is growing well, The herdS'graSS
roots in his section are also killed out
Their hay crop has been failure, and
the prospect for the future is uniuyiting.
tie finds wide difference in the opinion
Of farmers as TO the result of TALL seeding
10 grass. In every case where he has
sown seed thus he has got good catch,
both clover and timothy. Glover should
be sown late-about the time when the
ground closes. Sows the seed upon the
ground upon which grain has been raised
the same season, without any other pre-
paration. He gets as good crop of hay
as if sown in the spring. only it arrives
at maturity late, and must be cut later.
Mr. BODICE of Lincoln fully agreed
with the remarks of Mr.. WATSON. Seeded
two acres last year in wheat with grass
seed, but none came Seeded it over
again the past spring. but it failed to ger
inmate. Wanted TO know how to get
that field into grass tor the coming year.
The subject was then tabled for future
consideration.
TIRE GRAsSHoPPEB PLAGUE.
The question of the extent OF the raw
ages Of the grasshoppers in the different
sections of the State was then taken up.
The members Of the Counties were call
ed upon alphabetically to respond.
Hon. Asa Smith spoke for AroOStook.
The grasshoppers have not done any
damage in the County, and have been
comparatively scarce.
Mr. Gilbert, of Androscoggin said that
the grasshOppers had been the cause of
nearly all the farmers woes in his Coun-
ty They have caused the great depre-
citation of the hay crop, and have much
injured the grain. &c They appeared
very early and continued ill about the
first of August, when they began TO dis
appear. They were more destructive in
certain sections of the County, eSpeScial.
~ the northern section. They injured
the pastures greatly. consequently the
stock is in bad condition and is being
sold at almost any price Some fields OF
grain were protected by drawing a rope
across the heads OF the grass in the field
at sunset. thus brushing off the insects
Mr.. Scamman of Cumberland. said
the grasshOppers have done but little
damage, especially in the southern part
OF his county. Saw them most common
laIe in the season, past haying season.
Referred to Oxford county. where they
have been very numerous and destructive
Mr.. Adams, of Franklin, said they
commenced operations early in the sea-
son. and were first diScernible in the pas
lures. Many corn.felds were complete
" destroyed. In a field of twelve acres
of sweet corn man was kept in the field
continually 10 drive out grasShoppers,
and succeeded in raising eight acres
Many nurseries and orchards were com.
pletely stripped Of their leaves. After
the middle of August they operated most
ly on low grounds. Many grain fields
were completely destroyed.
Mr. Buck OF Hancock. said his county
has been entirely tree from grasshoppers
and their fields and pastures have been
and are in good condition.
Mr. Halves OF Knox, said his county
has suffered most in pastures. They
have been quite thick. but have not caus-
ell very great destruction. Were very
uneven, some farms in the same neigh
borhood entirely escaping.
Dir. Gilbert said part OF keunebec
county has been badly ravaged, some
towns having been completely oyerrun.
MIR BODICE OF Lincoln. said they were
thick in some towns in the county. Have
not vet disappeared, and there are plenty
yet. Thinks the parasites have killed
about one-third
Mi. Gilbert said in Oxford county their
rayageS have been fearful Whole fields
of crops. not even excepting potatoes,
have been destroyed Whole orchards
OF both old and young trees have been
entirely stripped of leaves.
Mr.. Chamberlain of riscataquiS, said
their ravages have been very severe
They anne1rn1 very early in tho Sb,-inr,