Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-21

legislative committee on Agriculture.
Hon. Robert Martin of Auburn, thought that if
we should send intelligent farmers to the legisla-
ture, the agricultural interests would be attended
to.
Mr.. Tinkham of Arson, of the House, thought
the society ought to offer better inducements to
the exhibitors OF sheep. Thought the Committee
on Agriculture could be trusted to do about right.
1t was voted to extend an invitation, through
the Secretary, to the Committee on Agriculture
to attend the afternoon meeting of the society.
Gen. Tilton offered the following which received
q passage:
Ordered, That the Treasurers report for the
past year be printed in pamphlet form, showing
what moneys have been received, paid out, to
whom they have been paid, and for what purpose /;
and to this end the items of expenditure shall be
classified. The Treasurer is instructed to carry
out this order, and send copy of the report to
each member of the Society within sixty days.
Mr.. Hamilton said that he had noticed this
morning, IN the special message of the Governor
that thousands of dollars could be saved by cut
ting down the agricultural report of the Secretary
of the Board of Agriculture. To him the report
were OF the greatest value, as it gave him in
ready form information on agricultural matters
and transactions throughout the State, which he
could CLEAN from no other source. He hoped that
an expression Of condemnation of the recommen.
dations of the Governor would go out from this
board The reports are priced highly every
hand and are found in the best Libraries. The
idea of cutting down, making them worthless, put
the insigniiicance of an Ayers almanac, is in
suit to the farmers of Maine.
Mr.. Durham atested to the value Of the
ports, and the desire to files Of the reports
for past years.
Mr.. WATSON said that in the history of the State,
this is the second instance of Chief Magistrate
placing himself upon record as inilicting stab
upon the agricultural interests of the State. The
demand for the report was ten times greater than
the supply.
Gen. Tilton fully conceded with the views of
the speaker.
The motion was lad uron the tase until after
noon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Society reassemblcd in the afternoon at
half past two The subject Of the Governors
special message was taken up.
Mr.. WATSON read the Governors recommends
ton with reference to reducing the size and num-
Der of the secretary's report He was surprised
to find such recommendation, and called the at
tentlon OF the meeting to the labor 10 preparing
papers for the report. These, according TO the
Governor, were to grace the waste paper basket.
Spoke of the lahors of the board, without scarcely
any compensation; their labors to prepare pa
pers of value for practical farmers-one gentleman
had furnished paper that required u year in its
preparation. The demand for these reports can
not be supplied. Now what advantage is brief
abstract; 1t becomes of value. We have
reached point in farming that requires educated
and enlightened agriculture. We cannot keep
our young men here unless We educate our far
mers. Claimed that it was profitable to
raise wheat in Maine than in any other State in
the Union. We need to know how to apply skill
to our SOIL ard TO bring the brain in cooperation
with the body. The Governors message aims a
blow at the brain cultivation. He closed by
speaking of TIE great value of the Secretarys re-
port. 1t was valued in the State and out of tin
the small farm houses and in the large libraries.
If the report is to be cut down don't it all.
Mr.. Robbins Of Winthrop, heartily conculred
with the remarks of the previous speaker. In re-
gard to the subject of milk, he had received this
week much information from the report Thought
abrdgement would be better in other places than
IN agriculture.
Mr.. Thing said that the fact that the reports
were found in the houses that have no other books
upon the shelves, shows how wicked it would be
to cut it off. These families read and re-read
them, and they set the rising generation to think
can we better spend money than in keeping men
IRON becoming criminal: He criticised quite
sarcasticay the Governors proposition.
Mr.. Durham said that the reports in his section
had been sought for and read. Thought the mum
ber and size should be increased instead OF
abridged. i he trouble with farmers is that we
have TO trust too much 10 own experiments,
in the absence OF a text book.
Mr.. Colburn of Windsor was surprised that any
one in the state should desire TO cut down the re-
ports. Don't have half enough OF the reports TO
distribute. The number of the reports should be
doubled.
Mr. Durham thought the Governor was whip
ping some one else over the shout 'ers Of the
farmers.
Mr.. Gilmore Of Dcdham, said that if we take
away these reports We strike at the intelligence Of
the people
Maj. Dill thought the Governor meant the farm
ers, is his first message no alusion was made
to the farmers. They were specially mentioned
in the second message. Farmers ave reading
more than ever; we want the book.
MI. Hamilton again addressed the meeting no
the subject.
Mr.. Pelcival made some strong remarks in the
same direction
On motion of Mr. Thing, the following resolve
was unanimously passed by rising vote:
Res0lred, that the interests Of the industrial
classes OF the State demand that there be no
infringement in the size numbers OF the report
Of the Secretary Of the Board of Agriculture.
The Society extended an invitation TO the Pom
illogical Society, the Stock Breeders Association
and the Poultry Association to unite with them in
their exhibition next fall.
The meeting then adjourned.
Mr.. EDITOR At this time when there is a de-
mand for retrenchment in all departments Of the
government, if there are those holding offices who
are not satisfied with their legal fees, and want
special legislation for their own, not the peoples
benefit, they had better resign. Good men and
true will be glad TO fill the places for the fees
which the law allows in their respective offices.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.