Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-26
Correspondence.
MAINE FARMERS IN COUNCIL.
PARIS, TUESDAY, Jan. %

| To the Editors of the journal:
| The attendance promises to be good. The
weather, which this morning was stormy, has
| cleared, and the sleighing, improved by the
slight fall Of snow, is excellent. The phono-
graphic reporter, Mr.. j. NJ. W. Yerrington,
has arrived, and the members of the Board
and delegates, net present this forenoon, are
coming in. We may confidently expect 9
large attendance from this vicinity, as we'll al
largely from other sections Of the State, tht
remaining days of the session. We under
stand that hay is brought through on the
Grand Trunk railroad, and sold at the sta
tons for $32 per ton to farmers who are
obliged to buy hay to lengthen out the shor'
crop of the past season. The leading market
crop here produced is orchard products. The
farmers pursue mixed course of husbandry
in this and adjoining towns. The subject OF
establishing cheese factories and associated
dairies has been agitated here, and their es-
tablishment is only question of time-short
at that.
The afternoon session opened with quite a
large attendance, prominent among which we
note the ladies, who grace by their presence
the discussions and deliberations of the pres
ent session of the Board.
Board met at 2 P. NJ. President Gilbert in
the Chair, who in brief and appropriate man.
ner introduced his Excellency Gov. Perham,
who delivered the address of welcome. We
make no attempt to give synopsis of this ad-
dress, but will briefly state it as an able, schol
arly effort, and one teeming with useful sug-
gestions, and facts deduced from past expert
ence and present aspects. The address oc-
cupied 45 minutes in delivery and was listen
ed to with deep interest. President Gilbert
followed in some happy remarks, explanatory
Of the designs of this session of the Board
united with the efforts of farmers present,
making it farmers convention 10 the true
sense of the term.
President C. F. Allen of Agricultural and
Industrial College at Orono, was then intro
duced and read an essay entitled Gains and
Methods of the Maine State College of Agri-
culture and the Mechanic Arts" A produc-
tion that gives a better idea to the masses,
the uses, capabilities, and needs of that in
stitution. There is, in certain quarters, an
animosity toward the endowment and sustain
ing this designed nursery of the better meth
DDS, diffusion Of practical science, and applied
chemistry, together with trained educated la
Dor, which is fostered and retained by the
ignorance that is abroad among the people re-
garding the design, the workings, and the re-
suits of such an education as can be here
obtained. This address, explanatory of the
"Aims and Methods" of this peoples institu-
tion for elevation, will be instrumental in
working out some of the deep-rooted preju-
dices, and of working in better, higher, and
purer regards for this benefcent training
school, where the hand, as we'll as the head,
is trained to habits of industry, dexterity, and
usefulness in after life. From this source,
as from pure fountain, if rightly sustained
and cherished, shall flow out in a thousand
directions and TO thousand localities, young
men who shall be teachers indirectly of the
better ways of doing Things, and who shall
ditfuse about them, wherever placed, improve
ments and an impetus so much needed in our
farming and in our mechanical industries.
Our interests are here embodied, tostered
and placed side by side with professions de-
pendent upon agriculture and mechanics for
support and well being. Here our sons may
be trained in that direction so essential, and
in those sciences so necessary, for success in
to x1I 10. a,,I
familiarity 50 necessary to replenish the
ranks of the farming community from time
to time. We should learn that in order to
make agriculture progressive, and to induce
to its practice the best talent at our COM
mand, we must make it plain, honorable, and
educate expressly for its magnificent capabil-
ity. We must learn that the material unfit
for other professions and callings, is also un-
fit for the making of farmers. We wish'to
retain in its ranks, and also to win from other
professions the best talent, the best material,
and the best endeavors of all.
Mr.. Pierce of Norway, inquired how long
it is necessary for young man to remain in
the college in order to obtain liberal. prac-
tical education.
President Allen stated that the regular
course embraced the same time of other col
leges-four years.
Gov. Perham also responded explaining the
benefits of the manual labor system. Made
them less roguish, keeps up robust health and
gives mental vim. Students compare favor
ably with students of other colleges in at
tainments.
Prof. Fernald said special course was pro.
vided for those wishing to pursue specialties
He cited instances in the past, and proposed
there should also be instances in the future
Admit for one term often designed to give lib
eral culture as well as practical culture. The
ory is combined with practice. Military tactics
a feature of instruction. Provisions are made
for1con,ingences many young men are so situ-
ated that they can devote but term or two ir
this school. Referred to instances of profession
al expertness attained by some of the branches
purepad