Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-09-30
NO. 'i2a3.
Correspondence Of the spsingield Republican.
AGRICULTURE IN MAINE.
BANGOR, Me-, Thursday, Sept. /

BANGOR, Me-, Thursday, Sept. 10.
The Maine woods and the Maine coast have
fairly taken the palm from the Adirondacks,
this season, and are attracting larger nnmber
OF tourists every year, but have noticad no
correspondence from any one who has visited
Maine for the special purpose of viewing her
agricultural interests. Maine 10 the most
strictly agricultural State of any Of the New
England coterie. Her commerce is consider
able. but the largest item Of export is timber,
the cutting Of which is the farmers winter
occupation. Her fisheries are extensive. hut
some forty of her fleets are engaged in catch.
ing menhaden for fertilizing purposes. The
oil is expressed, and brings about thlrfy.Ave
cents per gallon. The residue, or .sohumr is
sold to the manufacturers of superhosphates.
Hay and potatoes are the agricultural staples.
The hay crop has been very much reduces for
two years past by the severe drouths, bat the
continuous rains Of the present year have had
wonderful effect in renewing the parched and
seemingly dead roots, and producing very
heavy growth, though of rather poor quail
ty. Hay will be cheap in Maine, this winter,
which perhaps will be good news TO sorne of
your readers. The potato crop, which mas
promised well all through the season, il be-
ginning to rot badly, owing to the excessive
rains. The early potatoes are fortunately BE-
cure, but the crop Of late potatoes must be
seriously diminished. -
There is more "ssprit du corps" among the
farmers Of Maine that have observed in apy
other New England State. l attribute fhis to
the excellent system of Farmers clubs. of
which there are upward Of seventy. Eve or
more than in all New England besides. 1t
is part OF the work of the State Board Of
Agriculture to establish these clubs id every
section, and all of them, believe are visited
dc h.. h,a - ffa A. 4
OF the Massachusetts, county societies. As a
result of these eocial and practical organiza-
tons, an intelligent interest in aericulssral
improvement Is widespread over the Ststp.
Out OF this state of things grows the State
Agricultural Society, which is holding its
tenth annual exhibition here, this week. This
society 10 Offered in full by pfactc d farmers,
who themselves do the work of the society,
and there is an evident enthusiasm on the
part OF all connected with il, which TO- in re-
freshing contrast with the management of
most modern agricultural societies. By geo.
graphical position Bangor is central point
in Maine, but it 10 on the outskirts of culsiva-
ton and population. 1t has been built ap BY
the lumber trade, which makes this ito en-
trepot. Its population of 10000 on the edge
OF the great forests is an anomaly. BY the
recent opening of the European and North
American railroad, the city is placed "on
the highway of nations" and its citizens have
many dreams of future greatness.
1t was doubtful experiment financially
for the State Society to hold its exhibition at
this remote point, but believing that the agri-
cultural interests of this section would be ben
ehtted, the experiment was entered upon. 1t
is evidence OF remarkable enthusiasm that
this proves to be in important particulars the
best exhibition ever held in the State. The
ia 1ar hat <.f <bx
New England Society at Lowell, embracing
over four hundred head of very fine stock.
As usual this year, the Short Horns predom-
mate, numbering over ninety animals. The
Jersey and Herefords come next with upwards
of sixty each. Few outside of Msine are
familiar with the Herefords, and this white
faced company would be an entire novelty to
most of your readers. Nothing in the stock
line can be prettitr than q few Of these sleek
calves, with their clean white heads. They
grow very rapidly, and make most excellent
beef and working cattle. There are no Dew
ons and few Ayrshires here, but over eighty
grades, which as whole have never seen
surpassed. Here is where the chief benefits
of thorough breeding must be looked for, in
the gradual Improvement Of the whole native
stock. The truly agricultural character Of
the fair is shown by the exhibition of some
thirty oxen, may of which are noticeably 1ne.
One pair of twins girth respectively seven
feet nine inches, and seven feet eleven inch
es, and weigh some four thousand pounds.
The names one sees attached to these favor
ite animals are curiously suggestive of the
value Of fame. Literature, history and art
have been Rlorofed in these animals. We
have here Generals Washington, Grant and
Logan; Bismark, Napoleon, Mazzini, Handy
Andy, Tam O'Shanter, Crown Prince, Lord
Chesterfield, Bret Harte, Horace Greeley,
King Lear, Queen Bess, Lady Jane Grey,
Nillson, etc. a4 t7l'f
If the cattle exhibited here are eompars-
lively fine, the horses are superlatively so,
and this has been largely the case at all the
fairs this seasons. More attention 10 being
paid to the better qualities Of the horse, in
in distinction from that of "speed" merely.
Maine boasts more valuable horses than
any other State in proportion to her popala-
ton, and the present exhibition goes farto
justify the boast. One hundred and ffty
stations, and nearly half as many breeding
mares, are entered for competition, the Knox
and Messenger blood predominsting. n Few
of them are very fast, but they form splen-
did array of roadsters and gentlemen's driving
horses. fsii@H