Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-02-20
NO. A..
Miseellameous.
Meeting Of the Maine Board OF Agricul.
ture at Wiscasset, Feb. 10th. nth.
18th. 1874.
[Rcported for the Journal by j. W. Lang.l

| Reported for the Journal by j. W. Lang.l
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
| Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Bolster of Wiscas-
set.
Address of welcome by George B. Saw.
yer of Wiscasset. Two hundred and fifty
years ago the Indian sycamore Samoset
greeted the first settlers with the words
"welcome, Englighmen," SO to-day, who
have learned smatterng of agricultural
dialect, say .'welcome. Board of Agricul-
ture." In the name of the Lincoln Coun-
ty Agricultural Society and Horticultural
Society, l bid you welcome. We have
eight active farmers clubs, one cheese
factory, and can point to great improve
ments all over the county. Yet our work
has but just begun; we have but taken
the preliminary steps. We fnd our agri-
culture the most backward of all of our
material interests. We bid you welcome
among US for the first time. We ore glad
of the opportunity Of listening to yeur
deliberations, discussions and teachings.
The County of Lincoln, when organ
lied in 1760 embraced seven.eighths of
the State-all except the counties of York
and Cumberland, which then embraced
the counties of Oxford and a part Of An
droscoggn and Franklin. 1t was indeed
a magnificent domain larger than all the
rest of New England. Its shire was the
ancient Pownalborough, which embraced
Wiscasset. Dresden, Alma and Perkins.
Lincoln County points proudly to three
fourths of the counties of the State as her
fair daughters. Many of the shore towns
are largely engaged in fisheries. Wscas-
set was settled in 1863 at the site of its
present village. Its harbor accommo-
dates the largest ships. Its railroad gives
it connection with the east and the west.
We bid you welcome to our midst; to
such hospitality as we have and such at
tendance as we can bestow, we welcome
you.
President Gilbert replied in Il very
pleasant and ielicitous manner, and ex-
pressed the thanks of the Board. Stated
the objects and aims of the Board. 1t was
said by gentleman this forenoon that the
farmers here were looking to the Board
for instruction. We do not come as
teachers. We do not feel we are quail
fled to act as your teachers. We come
here to deliberate with you. We come
here to work with you. We come to cali
your attention to the subjects of interest
to the farming community. You are
earnestly invited to participate in the dis
cussion of subjects we may have under
consideration. We expect and hope to
enjoy ourselves with you. We extend
our thanks to you again for your warm
welcome. Good results will follow our
social intercourse and consultations TO-
gether.
Discussion on butter and cheese, opened
by Horace Colburn of Kennebec, who
presented q paper on butter making.
Dairying seems, at this time, to take
the lions share of attention. Believes in
butter making. Presented figures in sup
port of his position. Gave the results
from his own private dairying. Thinks
we may run associated dairying into the
ground. Thinks we shall run down the
price OF cheese. Best feed for cows is
grass Next best, dried grass or good
early cut hay.
This was very interesting paper and
was well received.
Il. A. Gilbert proceeded to speak OF
cheese making. Is rather more interest
ed in fruit than cheese or butter, except
at every recurring meal time. Has al
ways been interested in milk. even from
his earliest years. Dairying is a subject
of great interest to our State. am an
nounced to take the other side. and pro-
pose to show up some of its advantages.
Believes in associated dairying. Has
strong faith in it. Believes the time has
arrived when the farmers of Maine are
to reap great advantages from it. Farm
dairying cannot now, from the nature ofthe
case, flourish We have not the neceS-
sary female labor to carry it on. New duties
have devolvcd upon them by the advance
Of social status. 1t is just as necessary
to throw by farm dairying now as it was
to throw by the old spinning wheel, As
socation relieves the burdened wives OF
our farmers. Believes associated dairy
ing will return TO the farmer the largest
profit of any farm industry. Dairy
products are easily transported to market.
They can be carried long distances with
ease and profit. Many OF our best dairy
lands are remote from market. Associ-
ated butter making is not practicable to
making can be developed to great extent.
There are but few localities where a but
ter factory would be practicable.
Cheese daiiying is more profitable than
butter dairying, according to statistics.
1t is so systematzed that the expenses are
reduced to the minimum figures. About
u lbs of milk will make pound of but
ter Sometimes Jersey cows will go as
low as 16 lbs. 1t takes between 9 and 10
lbs OF milk to make one pound of cheese.
In his own private dairy, from is TO
lbs. Of milk make one pound OF cheese
varying with the season. Two and a halt
pounds OF cheese to one pound of butter.
Call average price of butter the past yeai
30 cents (and this is very liberaD. Milk
required for pound of butter, worth 80
cents, made into cheese, would bring
81 II cents, averaging cheese at Ii cents.
Does no. believe skim milk is so very
valuable for feeding hogs. Finds the
value of skim milk fed to pigs is of no
great value.
There are few who will or can comply
with the requisite conditions OF making
gilt-edged butter. Wishes every one
could make it. To get good price for
nice butter. the producer and consumer
must be within easy reach of each other.
1t must be delivered often, fresh, nice and
attractive. Cheese factories should be
multiplied. Believes the market will nor
be oyerstocked When we supply our