Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-01-30
State Board of agriculture.


/ ParkhurSt, Aroostook Seth Seammon,
Cumberland; Lorin Adams, Franklin !;
Samuel WATSON, Hancock; Horace Col
burn, Kennebec; Silss Halves. Knox !;
VIM. SWEET. Oxford; A. NJ Robinson,
Piscataquis; A. NJ. Simpson. Penobseoi
l.. l.. Lucas, Somerset; w. =. Walker,
Sagadahoc; w. r. Waterman, Washing.
ton; J. w. Lang. Waldo; Ira c. Doe,
York
Members at Large. Percival,
Samuel l. Boardman, Prot. NJ. c. Fer
maid, Prof c. F. Allen. 5. L. Goodale.
Prof. C. F. Bracket. All were present
during the session except Messrs. Warren
and Robinson.
Prof. T. s. Gold. Sec of the Connecti-
cut Board of Agriculture, and Hon. John
Stanton Gould, of New York, one OF the
ablest and most eloquent speakers on
agricultural topics in the country, were
present.
Sec. Goodale called the Convention TO
order. and nominated Ira c. Doe of Saeo,
as temporary chairman. Committee on
Credentials, SWEET of Oxford, Halves of
Knox. and Adams of Franklin.
Our limits will not allow SO full re-
port this week, rs we should like TO give.
We shall give abstracts of discussions
and of the lectures, from week TO week.
under our agricultural head, having
matter enough for some time. and it is OF
q nature that will keep.
The proposition offered at the last ses-
sion authorizing agricultural societies to
offer part of the fund received from the
State as premiums for improvement OF
/ farms was taken from the table.
Voted. that all delegates from farmers
clubs, and other persons present interest
ed in agriculture be invited to take part
in the general discussion of all topics
coming before the Board. but not be al
lowed TO vote.
Il. \. Gilbert. offered as substitute for
the pending resolution the following;
Ordered that the several agricultural
/ societies of the State, be and hereby are
directed to set apart for three years. one
fourth of he money annually received
from the State, TO be offered in premium
or premiums for some special or general
farm improvements said premiums 10
be awarded at the expiration of the
above named time.
Col SWEET OF Oxford. moved TO amend
this by substituting one.halt instead of
one-fourth.
This was vigorously opposed by some.
and rs earnestly supported by others
The main ground of opposition was that
it would take away the sum that has been
used toward the support of farmers clubs.
Scammon of Cumberland, while yielding
to no one in his support OF Farmers
Clubs was in favor of using one-half Of
the whole sum for premiums for improve
menIs in farms. 1t would be most jul
diciouS expenditure OF money. II was
not u new idea. II had been tried some
years ago in several Counties particular.
larry in Cumberland County. and he could
testify from his own experience as to the
great good accomplished thereby. Near
" every farmer who hsd entered for the
premium at the end OF the three years,
was amply repaid for his time aud ex-
peuSe by the increased value OF his farm,
even if he did not receive the prize. Ev-
ery man finds his Just return for such eN-
pendilureS, and labors, in the mere in
crease OF his crops. Then the reflex i'm
procement in the farms in the neighbor-
hood was most marked.
Such examples are contagious, and the
standard of farming is raised in the whole
community. The only thing necessary is
to offer something that shall be an in
ducement TO men to enter into such CONF
petition.
Sec. Goodale thought this one Of the
most important subjects that would come
before the Board. This offered direct in
ducemcnt to them to strive earnestly TO
improve their farms. In the majority Of
cases in which premiums were now
awarded upon animals or crops. they
were the result of accident and not of the
! skill or labor OF the farmer. while this
Offered premium on industry and skill.
He would have the award made on the
creates, amount made with the least ex-
penSe otherwise farmers with large
means would exclude all OF small means
by their large expenditures. He would
not have the improvement confined to
any particular branch of farming, but
wouhl include every thing, buildings as
we'll as crops, for in his opinion. some
wives of farmers needed more looking
after than cows and sheep. He was in
favor of using the one-half so as TO make
the premium an object worth striving for
The matter was then laid ON the table for
the present.
Made choice of the following officers
for permanent organization
President, L. A. Gilbert, Androscoggin !;
Vice President. VIM. SWEET. Oxford !;
Secretary. G. L. Goodale.
In the afternoon. Governor Perham
made an able address of welcome, oc-
Copying nearly an hour, and replets with
valuable information and good ideas.
We shall give an abstract of it hereafter.
Ia the evening. Prof. n. C. Fernald of
the Agricultural College, gave an ex-
ceedingly interesting and profitable lee.
I ture ON Protection from Lightning"