The Portland daily press., 1874-10-30
lReported for the Press.l
State Board Of Agriculture.
ORoNo, Oct. %, 1877


AS the first day was devoted to an inspection
OF the State College and its surroundings, the
people of the town had no opportunity for es-
tablshing friendly relations with the Board
until last evening, when the first public session
was held in the new town house. Since that
time their opportunities have been well i'm
proved. 1 should give you some account of
this elegant building had not your report of its
dedication been so recent. A debt of gratitude
is due from the people of the state to the citi-
zens of the town for an expenditure of some
$4,000, based originally upon the idea of fur
nishing an appropriate house for the college
commencements. 5.
Hon. Charles Buffum, formerly President Of
the Senate, delivered the address of welcome.
to which a reply was made by President Gill
bert. The papers of the evening were by
MI. B. NJ. Hight of the State Society, on
Adaptation" and Mr.. S. Wasson of Hancock
county on mo Cattle, No Crops" As both
writer's were absent, one was read by Secretary
Boardman and the other by Mr.. Dunham of
Bangor
The discussion which followed was of a gen.
eral character and confined to the latter paper.
Exceptions were taken to the title and some o
its positions ON the ground that large crops had
been raised on land in new localities, and for
many years at the West without any manurial
aid; and that in old countries, England for
example, lands had been immensely productive
for years, entirely through the agency of com-
mercial manures The intention of the writer
was explained to be to demonstrate the unde-
niable fact that the earth cannot produce crops
without receiving from some source all needed
elements of fertility.
As the evening was dark and cloudy, only
small audience was in attendance.
Previous to the public meeting of this morn
ing business session of the Board was held in
the Selectmen's room. Some one not having
their fear before his eyes, abstracted cards,
which were presented to each member, bearing
this gend:-"Poor House-Adnait the Bearer"
signed by the overseers of Orono. The mem
bers have not yet been able to avail themselves
of this public testimonial to their worth, as
their time has been so much engrossed in re-
ceiving the generous private hospitalities of
the citizens. "There's pppins and cheese to
come"
A very profitable hour was spent in discuss
ing the question, For what objects shall the
several societies appropriate that porto n of the
state bounty which is placed at the disposition
of the Board?" By some, entrusting the mat.
ter entirely to the societies was favored. The
prevailing sentiment, however, recognizing the
fact that the previous direction Of the Board
had undeniably been of service, especially in
the matters of farmers clubs and wheat grow
ing, secured the passage of vote which re-
qulres the members to ascertain the wishes of
the agricultural public as to the specific objects
to be encourag d, and from this expression a
committee will report, at the winter session, a
single object to be encouraged by the societies,
or a list of several from which they may elect
one. Some of the specialties favorably men
toned were, Special Farm Improvements,
Libraries, Publication of the Transactions of
the Societies, Keeping Thoroughbred Stock Ami
mails. e.-
The forenoon was occupied further by paper
on DAIRY Husbandry," from Mr.. Shaw of
Penobscot, and one on "Raising Cows by Mr.
Bradbury of Franklin. A discussion closed
the exercises.
In the early development of calves, the fact
seemed to be established that an improvement
could be made upon the food originally fur
nished by Nature, by substituting therefor the
article of SKINNED milk.'i No one asserted
that still further benefit could be derived by re-
moving all the other ingredients, except water;
Some complimentary remarks were made in
the early afternoon by Secretary Boardman and
Mr.. Barrows of Fryeburg on the fine exhibi-
ton of fruit, flowers and garden products,
which flanked the audience on either side on
tables extending Ithe length of the hall, fol-
lowed by cordial vote of thanks to the citi-
zens of Orono. Some details of this display
may be given hereafter.
A paper on "Co-opsration'' was read by
Mr.. Mallet, the efficient Secretary of the Saga
dahoc Society. Of the paper on "Progress in
Agriculture" from Pres Gilbert of andre
scoggin, the closing of the mail gives no time
to speak, when so much might be well devoted
to it.