Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-20
The Farmer.


The changing seasons Of the year have
brought another harvest. Autumn is
already bounteous with returns to the hus-
bandman. The leading agricultural ex-
hibition of the State has been held and
within a month"; the farmers of the differ
ent sections will have gathered to cele-
brate their distinct fairs and festivities.
There is now an opportunity to rejoice,
and to lay wise and vigorous plans for
the labors of the coming year.
Among the ancients, the Romans were
most advanced in the arts of agriculture.
Il was even a source of pride to a Roman
to be called good husbandman. 1t may
surprise us to learn that this practical peo-
pile possessed an agricultural literature,
which has only been surpassed by that OF
the leading modern nations. The advan-
tage of small, well cultivated farms was
well understood then l"r Virgil wrote, 1.-The
farmer may praise larry, estat'N, bu' ~
hun cultivate II small one" Bui m"i,'h
agricultural progress da irom 'ne l6.n
century, lhough this century atone 10
given lite 10 thy ,..a ti' i.e.
art. In cons tus .p' It,
culture. We al, >u,p..s.d - -. I, t... o..
suits accomplished by the efforts oi
single man. Before Arthur Young, there
had been workers aud writers III EagIanu
but to this mans efforts, the world is
very greatly indebted for spreading in
formation on agricultural subjects. He
labored increasingly. He made journeys
of inquirery, experimental with different
soils. and wrote many works containing
the results Of his labor. The great zeal
and energy of Sir John Sinclair. was the
means of the formation of the British
board of agriculture. But. when Sir
Humphrey Davy in the early years of this
century, began to apply the science OF
chemistry to the improvement of agricul-
ture, and it was placed on a scientific ba-
sis, then began the real progress of the
art.
Davy showad how soils and plants could
be analysed, and how manures could be
selected which would furnish elements
necessary to the growth of different va
rieties of plants. Through the labors OF
Liebig, the German philosopher, came a
knowledge OF phosphates and other artifi-
cial manures. And to other active minds
in different countries are we indebted for
the many great and valuable inventions.
Not many years ago the condition of hus-
bandry was low in the United States.
But here, as in England, Germany and
France through the application of chemis-
try, the invention of machinery and new
implements, the publication of journals
and other works. the present standard OF
agriculture has been attained. The inven-
tons enable the same number of men and
horses to do double the amount of work
formerly possible; and the knowledge Of
the capabilities of the soil, and of the
value of manures has immensely Increased
the productiveness of the land.
A brief survey shows us that only with
in this century has the art of agriculture
been placed on scientific basis, within
this time has been the greatest progress
And this progress has only been attained
by the devotion of scientific scholars ami
the toll of inventors and devoted men
fact which the farmers of Maine might
heed with advantage. In certain season,
oil the year, no class labors harder than
the farmers. A large portion OF them.
too, are characterized by great udu,l
and activity, the result OF winch !. pn
tured in the excellent condition 1T tn,
farms and the neatness OF their bnlu
But too large portion of the farmers 81
the State are contented to live on in a ira
dltional way, contented to make no i'm
proyement in farm management, content
ed to give up to idieness SO many hours
which might be devoted to labor and the |
reading of works which would make them |
better citizens and better farmers. They
lack that pushing activity which is to be
found in cities. And regarding the re-
turns which the farmers receive, Gov.
Common in his address at the New England
fair truly said, Energy and intelligence
avail as much in this vocation as in any
other 1t is but for the farmer to take
the pains and the gains will follow.
The republicans of Georgia are without
organization, and are represented as not
caring whether the new constitution is
ratified or not.
II Is said the WorkiBgmen's movement |