Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-02-06

made by Gov. Perham -
Nr. President and Gentlemen Of The
Board Of 4gyTcultlre>-It becomes my
pleasant duty in accordance with an az.
rangement made some time since, to IBID
y0u welcome to the county of Oxford
DO this with the more pleasure when
reflect that Your deliberalion must OF nee
es>jty rtsound to the benefit OF the whole
State.
IL was my fortune some fifteen years
ago to be member of the Board OF Ag-
Iicul,urc, and nj that time laid the toun-
alton OF a convention, that has become
more firmly established with the lapse OF
wears, that the Board of Agriculture is
one OF the most important OF our State.
intend to-day to refer briefly to some
of those iacts affecting our prosperity
which we all have deeply at heart. First.
tAe decrease in cur hay crop demands
our serious consideration. From 900.
el1 tons iu 1860, our hay crop decreased
% 700 GOO tons in 1870, and to less than
100000 tons In 1871 This does not only
eayc. tae crop OF the past yeal but by the
effect she unavorable seasons have had on
roots. viii be tell during the next tour
year, ut least, ANY relief from these
evils that the Board can devise will be
hailed with delight by the citizens of this
State.
Another discouraging thing is the stern
fact revealed 10y our la,e census. that
the population O.. The rural districts has
decreased during the last decade We
hrdtae sous ca Maine holding positions
of responsibility and honor an through
the States cd tlc Union. Il i, serious
question Tor your consideration how to re-
tain ,acha portion OF this power as Will
be sufficient Sd develop our resources.
It Is nor ttir tbal Maine should furnish 50
much oi Tie brain tina, is building up
other States.
We are partly to blame. We have
no, appreciated ouy own opportunities,
our own resources. Il has been too often
the fashion To 'ecry our State.
But let me here mention some OF our
advantages. The Governor here spoke
in detail; of Che vast highways OF our
State transporting passengers and freight
20, the vas, extent of our sea coast,
whose bays vii. float al the navies Of the
world, and which furnish vast opportuni-
ties for ,hipLuilding; OF the vast mines
OF mineral wealth locked mp in our rock
bound coast, from which. during the past
year, moe than S2,500,000 worth OF
granite have been exported, employing
more than 5000 men; OF the vast ice in
teIe>t %, ,ac State, moro than 81 900, 600
worth having been taken from the Ken
rotec river between Augusta and Gardi-
ucr In the season; this being clear profit.
taking nothing from The SoiI-of our un-
bounded facilities for manufacturing.
having in our courses more power than
W can Use in centuries one OF our rivers
falling 1900 fee, I'm its source from il
source u.,jt empties into The ocean, while
the average lalI is more than coo feet and
lastly OF our agricultural resources ;
while not possessing advantages in this
rcSqcc. equal 10 some of the States, yet
our advantage, are superior to many OF
Tie States that have ou,>tripped us In
the valley Of The lower keur ebec. Peuob-
scot. Nro'-,oos anal s. John we have
land 2uequ4.ed reproductions. In Aloos-
to-, County We have large amount OF
land an,racbed, producing crop, unequal
cd. .aj presenting greater advantages in
many respects i1an the West.
Will. agriculture is the foundation OF
a. ou. prosperity, yet iii, greatly beue-
fitted ay The establishment Of any man.
uiac,Uyiug interest. II create, market
for 1.l surplus products of the soil. and
and also increases the value Of farms in
the vicinity Good Judges say that the
value Of farms i increased at least 10 per
cen. by the establishment, of manu-
factories near them
These topics which We have met here
toi.-cu>s. rylh1s- in ~ hjrh every ciiizcu
o. M.'se docs, or >hoalI take deep inter
e.,
Al.r.auc v,Js eu'osi,,ic of Oxford
County, OF ,ae men OF brain and power
whose influence was iclt throughout the
State, who were natives OF Old Oxford
Of heru- limited water powers and other
resources. The Governor again bid them
q hearty welcome, not only to the county
but also 10 The town and to this temple
of justice
PRECEDENT ALIENS LECTURE
President G. 7. Alien. ol,heAgriculiural
and Industrial College ut Otono. WAS
then introduced. anI read an essay emit
tied Ann, and Methods OF the Maine
State College OF Agriculture and the
Mechanic Arts, production that gives
q better idea 10 the masses of the uses.
capabilities and needs of that institution.
There is, in certain quarters, an animos-
ity toward The endowment aud sustaining
of this designed nursery of the better
methods, diffusion OF praclical science and
applied chemistry, together with trained
educated labor, when Is fostered and re-
tanned 10y The ignorcnce that i abroad
among the people regarding the design,
the workings and the results Of such an