The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-30
tr Reported for the Press]
The New England Agricultural Club
THURSDAY MIGHT.

The New England Agricultural Club.
THURSDAY MIGHT.
A paper was read by Gen. Oliver, written by
j. T. Angel, President of the Boston society
for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The
ESSAY was quite long, and pointed ont the many
wavs in which cruelty to animals was practis-
ed. naming poor shelter, insufficient food, bru-
tal treatment by drivers and needless cruelty
nv butchers Cruelty to animals tends to hard
en- the feelings of men toward the suffering of
his fellows. When men come to regard ami
mails from consideration for their feelings.
they will be greatly elevated in the scale of be-
ing. The paper also considered at length the
transportation of cattle long distances in cars,
and stated that in many cases the meat of such
animals is unit for food, and thinks the death
rate in Mass, increased largely by using this
diseased, bruised and poisoned meat, poisoned
by cruelty to the animal, or diseases induced
thereby. There should be investigation and re-
form in this subject of transportation of cattle.
The next lecture was by Hon. T. S. Lang, of
Augusta, on the agriculture and Industrial
Interests of Maine" He spoke of the uses of
associations and the need of sterling honesty
and upright manhood. He dwelt upon the ne
cessity of the development of the forces Of ma
ture, which must be accomplished by associa-
| ton. Capital and labor must go hand in hand
Among many other-thlngs, Mr.. Lang said that
as man becomes Intelligent he substitutes vege-
table for animal food.
In the course of his lecture Mr.. Lang noticed
the conflict between labor and capital, saying
that labor too often has to bend the. knee to
capital. Monopoly often Expresses. Wealth
has the power to fix for itself laws and condi-
tons. The question of transportation must re-
ceive attention. Taxation must be looked af
ter. The 100000 invested in farms and
farming operations in Maine, and this great
interest must be protected. Savings banks
have outlived their usefulness to the poorer
classes, for rich men make them a cover to es-
cape taxation. The same is true of Govern
ment bonds Capitalists avail themselves of
these means to secure their money safe in
vestment, and to draw high rate of interest.
Much of the capital Of savings banks is loaned
out west There should be competition in
banking, as in all other business. Men and
women go unemployed for want of the proper
application of capital The capita! of every
vicinity should be employed so as to set the
scarcity, money finds its premiums, and brokers
make their money from discount of property.
The whole money function of this country is
controlled by one man. We ought to have
free banking system. We ought to have ap-
piled to our industries the capital now boarded
up. .-
FRIDAY MORNING.
After visit to the new railroad bridge now
building just above the college, and to Colby
University, where we were shown every atten-
ton by President Robins and other members
of the Faculty, the Club began its session.
Hon. D. II. Thwing of Mt. Vernon, presided.
DIR. e. Lewis Sturtivant of South Framing
ham, Mass. was introduced and gave lecture
ON Adaptation in Farming" He spoke of
the adaptation in commerce and mechanics
The farmer has to extend bis efforts whereas
the manufacturer can concentrate his. Tue
farmer cannot store his products in colossal
warehouses, like the merchant. The simple
conditions of rain or drouth, plenty or scar
city, heat or frost, often determine the farmers
profit or loss. The farmers winter labor is
rather consumptive than productive. New
England agriculture, at first view, seems repel-
ling, but it can be made productive of profit.
tun. CaH we grow wheat in Maine? Can we
grow it at profit? Can we mike cheese? Is
not butter making more profitable? These are
all questio s of Importance which we must
answer for ourselves in working out this ques
ton of adaptation in farming. We are seeking
profit in farming Good stock m ust have care
and feed in proportion. Many fail in adapta-
ton here A farm must be adapted to to the
farmer, and the farmer to the farm. Good
farming is to exercise good common sense on
the farm, and adaptation is common sense.
Adaptation, only. can secure profits in farm |
ing or any of its branches 1t fits soils to crops
and crops to soils. Adaptation gives the best
results in stock breeding and in dairying 1t
gives the difference between farming for profit
and farming at loss. No one Gun meet with
success and ignore adap tation. No matter in
advantages of climate or soil, adaptation will
still determine profit or loss, as it is practiced
or as it is ignored. Adaptation is the watch
word of improved agriculture.
The lecture was listened to with marked at
tention, and was we'll received by large and
appreciative audience.
Hon. James o. Adams, secretary of the New
Hampshire Board of Agriculture, was then in
troduced, who gave lecture on ''Better Gull
ture;'' an able and very practical effort
Mr.. Adams set forth and explained certain
agricultural maxims which were of sterling
merit. No mere abstract of this able effort
would do justice to it, so we despair of the at
tempt. He advised farmers to seek their own in
terests, organize, conduct farming on business
principles, and not allow other trades and call
ings to feed and fea st of the products of their
industry. Too much time is spent about ste res
and other places of lounging. The farmer
must attend to his own business Bows should
be well clothed, paid and encouraged. We
want our best boys and girls to stay on the
farm. When the farmer takes day of recrea-
tion he should take his good wife with him
she that helps him work and save When we
duct our farming in an intelligent manner then
will New England farming pay.
AFTERNOON.
Gen. S. G. Oliver of Boston, Assistant Sec
rotary of the New England Agricultural Soci
ETY., then delivered an able address on the
"Horses' Foot"
The most of the cases of prosecution for
cruelty to animals is for abuse of horses. The
foot of the horse is one of the most important
of his organs. 1t is often cramped, and
deformed and ruined by improper shoeing.
Note how many lame horses we see. Most of
the cases of lameness in horses are of the feet.
Explained the anatomy of the horses foot.
Gave. valuable information upon its proper
functions and treatment Explained how
horses are famed, and how they are injured by |
improper shoeing. We are all interested in the |
horse, either from motives of business or pleas
ure. Many blacksmiths work upon the horses
hoof as though it was horny, insensible block
Ard they nail plate of iron upon it as they
would upon post or stick of timber. The
principle of shoeing which protects the hoof
and frog and leaves it to be naturally formed,
IS the true principle. Never pare the sole or
enough to make the shoe bear evenly. Ex-
IRENE gentleness is necessary in the first shoe
ing OF colts Spoke of the methods of stablinp
and care of horses feet. Mr. Oliver had ana
tomical specimens of diseased and also of sound
horses feet The lecture was lengthy and a
valuable contribution to our sanitary literature