The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-11-04
State Board of Agriculture.


notice the remissness of some of the members
OF the Board; and we should do so with .some-
what of severity, were not that quality entirely
foreign to our nature. Some half-dozen of
those gentlemen were so unfortunate in their
calculations, or circumstances, that they failed
to be present and to perform the parts which
they had suffered to be publicly announced for
several weeks Death or resignation would be
regarded as sufficient excuses for absence or
non performance, and ought to be accepted as
such should they be rendered hereafter by
themselves or friends, but the necessity for
disappointing reasonable expectations and i'm
posing heavy weights upon the Secretary and
the other members was not quite apparent.
Under the circumstances it was decided to dis
pense with the afternoon session, and instead
the members accepted the invitation of several
gentlemen of the village ard took a ride of
eighteen miles through the town.
The original object in establishing the Board
was to create examiners and explorers, who
should investigate and report everything relat-
ing to the combined interests of agriculture
and the state. In accordance Herewith, this
brief survey CT few hours we believe may be
VI SiCoo oClNiOo W tuuSc w uU SaW dCu W al
that was seen. Passing through corner of
Conway in New Hampshire, thence along the
fertile intervales of the Saco some of the level,
smoothly mown fields, embracing one hundred
acres: skirting the base of hills and ridges
clothed with myriads of young thrifty white
white pines; descending into the lowlands,
where the first growth of naples. still remain,
and where tons Of sugar are made; crossing
through several of the seven covered bridges
which span the river in the town, and thence
along the crest OF uplands, where some good
farms and orchards are found; and by the old
homesteads where the Fryes and Fessendens
once lived. The party pronounced the view to
be unequalled, and the agricultural capacity of
the town to be unsurpassed.
Prof. 81. Carmichael of Bow doin College, in
discussing "What Science may do for Farm
ing" occupied an hour of the evening, and
gave some most suggestive and instructive
lessons to a crowded house. He very plainly
indicated, even to an uneducated mind, how
persons may become scientifically sure in their
agricultural theories and processes, instead of
cropping blindly in the dark. The enunciaton
of this single truth was worth the effort of
lecturing and listenipg-that there is altogether
too much of algebra and the kindred studies in
our schools; and that the foundation of good
knowledge of the natural sciences can be as
well laid in our common schools as in our
colleges. The eloquent professor wsuld deserve
well of the state, should he become the apostle
of this one idea, and SO indoctrinate the people
that henceforward the child and the man
should know something about their own bodies,
the soil under their feet, and the thousand
organisms in air, earth and water, with which
they are in daily association.
The usual resolutions were adopted at the
final session. DR.. Allen, Messrs WATSON and
Williams and Prof. Fernald, acknowled cling in
highly complimentary terms the courteses
which they had received. In behalf of the cit
liens, A. f. Lewis, Esq, responded very appro-
priately.
Omitting several of the resolutions We simply
report the following:
Resolued, That The thanks of the Board of
Agriculture be hereby rendered to the railroads
that have furnished passes to the students of
the Maine State College to attend the meetings
of the session; and that we recognize in this
generous act wise policy, which has contrib
uted largely to the interest of the occasion and
which deserves the hearty commentator of all
who prize the agricultural interests of the state
and the cause of industrial education.
While this means all it says and was we'll de-
served we think the European & North Amer
lean, the Knox & Lincoln, Maine Central and
Portland & Ogdensburg, by their act of gener.
osity did good thing for themselves. From
the frequent remarks we have heard, we are
satisfied that hundreds of persons will be in
duced to pass over these roads the next summer
from the recommendations of those beneficial
ries
1t was sore disappointment to scores of the
visitors that they were not able to visit the White
Mountains, as the courteous efforts of Pres-
dent Anderson and Superintendent Hamilton
to provide special train were al frustrated by
the heavy clouds and mists which capped the
mountains and refused to unveil their SUBMITS.
One feature of this meeting which we have
not noticed at previous ones, and deserves spe-
cial commentator, was, that the members and
visitors took away with them some of the pro-
ducts of The place, Cranberry vines, seed corn,
apples, etc. Whether there was an exchange
of more valuable property we do not declare.
We trust that this will become an established
fact in all successive meetings. Let the menu
bers bring with them specisltes in seeds, fruits
and plants, to be exhibited during the session,
and distributed at its close for similar and cor
exchanges.
The day and the session terminated with a
pleasant reunion at the vestry, where song and
speech and story, from the grave to the gay
and mutual compliments from hosts and guests
left impressions we doubt not both profitable
and abiding.