Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-11-26


setted to, thai Maine isn,ks low rs an asrt
cultural State. This Wow is not sustained
10y facts.
In highly valuable coutlib Z"
the late Session OF the Board Agriculture
al Skowhsgan, made by Hca. IL. MOI
ris of Portland in the form oi = lectuie
delivered on that occasion, Nsie present.
Ell statistical statements regarding the
produetiyeness OF Maine in respect to It's
principal crops and comparisons with the
other New England States aud also with
a half dozen Of the other States which
produced The largest ameunss OF the
same products.
Farmers Clubs, or other similar gath
erings for getting and giving light and
knowledge about agriculture would DO
well to secure Mr.. Moiris's services
u delivering this lecture before hem.
Aher treating at some length OF the
principles which should govern an deter
mining a call toiho duties OF lie, and
bliefiy reviewing the intimate relations
which commerce. manufactures and asri.
culture sustain to each olher. the discus
sion is confined to Agriculture Is one 81
lies ealiings.
The census OF 1860 gives the Number
O. farmers in this State - 64,S4S. farm
l..borers 1885, making y total oil s0,70o
engaged in Agriculture The value OF
hym and farming implemens are ssh
9S5,S25 or one half the valuation * the
whole State, and while great advance
maut has been made la the science anal
practice oil Agriculture, AMI 1t occupies
prominent position smong oar great
industrial interests, it hSS 10 = great cN-
tens been accomplished by Tie natural
ard inherent advantages, and on The
drilling principle, rather than oy lac IN
tc.igsace, enterprise and progressive
spirit with which il has Ueeu prosecuted.
When we call 10 mind The prominent
position occupied bY our morc;s~le
marine in 1861. our manufactures, whose
products in 1868 amounted 10 sSl,2oD-
695, or 10 our railroads with al invest
mon, Of $4,000. 600 more than he orisi-
nal valuation OF the whole State. ne
naturally ask, how did these enterprises
attain to such a marked success. Il
WAS no. on The drifting principle, but 10y
earnest and persistent edoIts. These
men scanned the horizon in all directions
aud were thoroughly awake TO all posi-
.biities, aud their success Is The more
striking in comparison With he position
occupied by agriculturiSts, tho sre~.
masses oil whom content themselves
With present requirements with bat btile
thought lor future possibilities. In other
departments meu are educated Tor their
particular calling. but how many OF The
more than 50, 600 men engaged IA Agr.-
culture in this State, wsre dedicated to,
and carefully educated and trained for
this work. There are in ether depart
men,s professional pride. spirit OF
enterprise and e0rues,ne,, OF purpose
persistency IN overcoming ,sssac.cs, and
faith in the success 10 uc achieved IN
striking contrast with rha, manilestal bY
farmers IS = class We give some oI
the reason. why Agriculture has not as
sumeda mole prominent position The
great numbering Interest h.s An>,Ibe,s
large amount OF he industrial energies
OF ON State, directing them from other
branches Agriculture has specially
suffered in this direction. Another rea-
soa ia the generally received opinion,
tbs, with our soil and climate we canno,
successfully compete with other States.
This objection has been So peysistently
urged, that We have accepted At with
hardly question OF is UuthiulneSs.
The result has been - !ec,iug OF despond-
eucy. the diversion oil ! large number OF
young men 10 other csiiiu.s. 90 driving
them 10 other localities, Supposed 10 be
more favorable This has done much "a
hinder the Increase and Development OF
our State, that especial attention Is ASKED
l. some facts, colatsd from the reports
OF the L. 5. Agricultural Department
ior 1870. Taking the five largest crops,
VIZ. corn, wheat. oats, potatoes and hay
comparing the yield per acre and the val
~ per acre with the o,Aer y +. States.
aud then with the ~ States outside y.
J. which gave the loggcsl amount "t each
particular crop.
10 will be seen Dy these csmi "a tSoav.
thai Maine is ahead OF the other New
England States in the yield and value OF
her corn crop, and that she IS Dat six
teHths OF bushel pei acre shor. oil The
average yield OF the six largest corn
growing States in tho Union, aud exceeds
these States in the value OF Ibis crop
S33.26 per acre.
The wheat crop in Maine falls short OF
the average lor New England one and
seven tenths JuShel, and $l.3l per acre
in value, while it exceeds the average
yield OF the six largest wheat growing
States outside New England, two and
fourtenths bushel PEI acre, sl4 per
acre, in value
The potato crop exceeds The average
for New England in both yield and value
II exceeds the average Weld of Tue siN