Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-15
Ilailp Sirunsbst sournai
A u q u - IA,
Ta sday Morning, May 10, 1877.
Agricultural Report.


Agricultural Report.
The last report OF Mr.. Boardman, Score
tary of the Maine Board of Agriculture
which has recently been published, is iull
of valuable matter for the farmers OF our
State The introductory pages contain
summary Of the proceedings aud discus
sions at the meetings OF The Maine Board
of Agriculture during the year 1876. also
facts and 'aislicS in relation 10 the State
College, agricultural societies, cheese fac
tories, and the exhibit of Maine at the 10
ternal Exhibition held at Phila 'ephla.
While there is not an uninterestlng or
unimportant page in the whole report me
papers and remarks which II contains IN
relation to the beet sugar industry are of
paramount Importance at this time, when
that industry has received the endorsement
oi the State aud promises to become sue
cessfully established within our borders.
There is paper on this subject in the re-
port. 10y Mr.. + ii. Libbey, one of the edi-
tors of the Scientific Farmer OF Boston,
which contains a great deal OF inlorma-
lion upon this subject stating Facts As to
soil. seed, culture, dressing, results and
other matters, that are worthy OF parIicu-
lar attention. There is also "a valuable ar
licle on this subject from Piof. Aubert OF
the State College. and brief article by
Mr.. Bracket of Belfast. Secretary b pard-
man himself says:
at is impossible now to tell to what extent the
present interest in the beet sugar industry VIII
lake practical and tangible form with the opening
season; but am persuaded if mills for its manlp-
platon could be started at an expense of not more
than twelve or fifteen thousand dollars each, 1t
would prove profitable business for our State.
The culture of the beet would certainly be bene-
fetal crop, for il would involve deep blowing,
heavy manuring and thorough wedding, while the
increased amount of manure secured from the cat
tie fed on the pulp, combined with the thorough
culture, would put the land in splendid condition
for raising wheat and corn, and go far towards
settling the question of redeemng and improving
our WORKOUT farms. The direct profit is large;
for . crop of twelve or fifteen tons per acre, at
value Of four to five dollars per ton, would pay
better than any cash crop now raised, aside IRON
the indirect advantages of cattle food, mellow and
improved lands for future crops. 1t would give
employment to increased field labor during the
summer culture, and in the manufacturing de-
partment during the winter month. 1t would sup
ply q new branch OF industry, establish new Gen.
tres Of trade, develop new fields for inventive
skill, save millions Of dollars TO the country at
large In foreign cost Of sugar and transportation,
and enhance the value of every farm in the W.
cinify Of the factory"
Among the articles in the report beside
those on beet sugar and those read at the
meetings Of the Board of Agriculture are
two papers by Secretary Boardman. one
upon 1.-The Horse at Agricultural Exhibit
TONS" taking a conservative common
sense view of this much discussed ques-
ton; the other giving an historical ac-
count of the State College, its aims and
methods. There is also an article by Hon.
j. L. Hayes upon wool Industry in our
National Economy" OF the papers read
at the meetings of the Board and published
in this report there are four IN relation to
fences, giving the history, statistics. cost
of fencing, and anomalies of fence law.
Two papers are furnished by Prof. Stock
bridge, one on "Plant Nutrition" and one
on 1.-THE Management OF Pastures" The
other papers in the report not previously
mentioned are Taxation, by ID. M. Dun
ham; veterinary Science" by b NJ.
Hight; Cranberry Culture" by G. l..
Washburn Capacity OF Mich Cows" by
Horace Bodwell "Sheep Husbandry," by
George Flint
Every farmer in Maine would find it TO
his advantage to have and study this report.
1t is prepared with ability and care, the
topics discussed are all live, practical sub
jects. and the thoughts are the best pro-
ducts of brains devoted to the interests
of the farmers of our State.