The Portland daily press., 1877-10-18
BY TELEGRAPH.
MAINE.
FARMERS IN COUNCIL.
Meeting of the Board of Agriculture at
Alfred.
Especial to the Pre-

S1I1SCus
Especial to the Press.1
ALFRED, Oct. II In his valuable lecture
last evening, Prof Carmichael traced the histo-
~ of the applications of science to farming
from Liebig to the present day. From their
published methods AMI tables of results, as well
as from his own personal observation,he describ-
ed the operations and evidenced tha immense
value of European experiment stations. The
aid they afford now enables the German farm
ers to compete successfully with the whole
world. Even the imperfectly managed stations
now at work in Massachusetts, Connecticut and
New jersey are paying for themselves many
times every year. He emphasized the urgent
need of such station for Maine. So small a
sum as $4,000 would be sufficient to start with,
and this outlay would yield a great and imme-
diate return. In the important matters of feed
ing and fattening animals. selecting seed aud
choosing the appropriate fertilizers for the va
rious soils, single experiment station would
afford light and comparative certainty, where
now all is merest guess-work, resulting in con-
tinual and immense loss.
The essay of the morning was by Mr.. o. A.
Gilbert on the Compost Heap He defined the
compost heap as means of saving fertilizing
liquids by absorption. Crude barn manures
are comparatively useless when not decompos-
ed, hence he would conduct his compost opera
tions in the use of these msnures. He would
add largely to the various barn products muck,
which on the whole he regards as far the best
material for the purpose. This should be pull
verzed nd dried as thoroughly as possible
Sawdust, loan, leaves and straw may be used,
though those are quite inferior to muck. The
same money used IN perfecting methods and TO-
creasing quantity OF COMPOST will, every time,
as shown by actual practice, return immensely
more than if expended in commercial fertiliZ-
ers
MIR. Leland M. Reynolds and others carried
on a remarkably clear, forcibie and suggestive
discussion OF this important topic, and every
farmer that listened 10 it must have made up
his mind to 60 home and start ii he had not,
and enlarge, if he had, a compost heap.
The large audience eather-d in the afternoon
were much interested in fine essay by Mr..
james o. Adams, the Secretary of the New
Hampshire Board of Agriculture, taking for
bis the me Profitable Farming" The farmers
were ureed to seek intelligent aud advanced
methods of culture The use of machinery
was advocated. care in the choice of animals,
and attention to the special needs of soils and
seasons. The farm should be we'll stocked, for
loss of stock is sure sign and precursor Of
loss of fertility in the farm. Each farmer must
adapt his selection of crops, hls cultivation, his
outlay, to soil and location. The farmer should
nOt ODly cultivate 1alInIuly, OUT sell JuOiciOus-
ly. The farmer should care for mental culture,
and by SO doing will also care successfully for
his pecuniary profit.
Profitable agriculture is no myth, but even in
old and rocky New England, it may be success
fully realized by the progressive and faithful
farmer.
In the absence of Mr.. Wasson. the essay on
Muscle Bed Manure was lost to the convention,
but valuable compensation was found in the
very clear, full and instructive remarks of Gen.
John Marshall Brown, who gave the meetiD g
an excellent idea OF the nature, best methods
of collecting, preparing and applying what he
said the Cumberland county farmers call "a
perfect manure for grass
Gen. Brown uses the fertilizer largely on his
farm in Falmouth, with the very best results.
The banks of muscle mud along our shores are
rather increasing than diminishing, and no
drafts on these banks will be dishonored. This
great treasure of fertilization ought to be more
thoroughly utilized by our farmers along the
coast Old fields, apparently worthless, nave
been in two years restored to wonderful fertili-
ty and productivaness.
In the evening j A. Varney of Vassaboro
delivered his lecture on "Our Homes, how to
Be.utify and Adorn Them"
The students of the State College give an ex
hibition and drill on Tbutsday Afternoon ahd
DR.. Allen, the President OF the College, gives 8
lecture in the evening.