The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-02-19
State Board of Agriculture.


| invitation given to the members by Rev. Dr.
Robns of Colby University to visit the college
buildings. Under his guidance Memorial Hall
with its snug, tasteful library, its upper hall
appropriate tribute to those fallen sons who
rest on their bed of honor, Coburn Hall with
its cabinet of Natural History, and the chapel
were satisfactorily explored. The two buildings
are substantial, and we'll arranged and indica-
tive of the enterprise and good sense which
has advanced this institution to its present
high position, and is now elevating its auxiliary
academies to corresponding relations.
The State Dairymen's Association held their
meeting at A. M. They propose to make an
exhibition of their products in connection with
the Fair of the state Agricultural Society.
They passed resolve to the effect that the
value of the Report of the Board of Agricul-
ture would be lessened by any abridgement.
They also voted to petition the legislature to
grant them representation in the Board.
During the session of this Association sam
pies of jersey butter from Watervile, and OF
Jersey cheese from Winthrop factory were
brought in for exhibition, also some fine speci-
mems of apples and pears, with few boxes of
honey.
The morning session commenced with
short paper from A. L. Bradbury, on The
Comparative Value of the Refuse of the Dairy
for Feeding Calves aud SWINE" demonstrate
ing by few recorded experiments that profit
could be derived from that which many regard
as of no value.
The topic planting an Orchard" by q. A.
Gilbert, practical fruit-grower. and the ac-
companying discussion, occupied the forenoon.
He remarked that every one with farm or
garden should raise some fruit The most
prosperous men in his vicinity are fruit grow
ers. Their returns exceed those of dairy bus.
bandry. Some realize from one to three thou
sand dollars per year. There is no danger
of OVERRIDING the business. Car loads of apples
are now brought into the state. Plant an Or
chard as the best investment you can make for
your children. Plant your orchard with
northern aspect, and on high land. Baldwins
will stand it there, when they are killed on the
lowlands. Set the trees about % to 80 feet
apart, not allowing the branches to intermin-
gle. Mulch them when young, as they grow,
thsy find nourishment at the ends of the roots
and need cultivation and enrichment there.
Have had the best success from planting seed
lngs and grating the branches For varie-
ties were mentioned the Early Harvest, Red
Astrachan, Porter, Gravenstein, FL. Nonesuch,
Baldwin, Greening, Northern Spy and Russell.
The Stockholders Association held their an
nual meeting here to day. At the afternoon
meeting of the Board, Mr., Barrows for the
committee on credentials, reported that Mr..
Lang had presented his credentials as member
elect from that Association, but that as no
such right was granted by their act of incorpo-
ration, they were not able to report that he was
entitled to a seat. 1t is understood that the
Association will apply to the legislature for
this special privilege. AS there is an evident
tendency to multiply agricultural organizations
apprehensions are entertained that the Board
may be too largely increased for economy or
usefulness
Prof. L. B. Arnold of Rochester, N. Y, occu-
pied the entire afternoon with his lecture on
1.-THE Needs of the Dairy and his answers to
questions from almost everybody in the house,
It will probably be worth while to send you an
entire article hereafter, reporting this lecture
and the succeeding one of tomorrow.
1t will hardly be disputed that Prof. Arnold
stands at the head of the dairy department as
authority in this country.
Papers were read in the evening on dairy
subjects from Messrs Bracket of Belfast and
Foster of Wilton, although neither of the gen.
tlemen were present. Prof. Arnold and Messrs
PercivaI and Burleigh continued the discussion
of dairy topics. 1t was stated that nearly all
the premiums in that class at the Exhibitions
of the State AMI N. E. Societies for several
years, had been taken by grade milch cows
Prof A. remarked that he had recently visited
some ten or a dozen states in attendance on
agricultural conventions and the very general
testimony was that the grade cows were the
best mixers.
While there is large representation of Ken
nebec farmers present during the day, there is
a general expression of regret that the audien-
ces are SO small in the evening.