Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-27

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tioa of ~ stsss stipened paid annually to
county agricultural societies, should be
spent, having been delegated to the Board,
.special attention for Q term of years has
been given to the subject and the objects
for which these special premiums have
been offered have been such as to
promote the best interests Of agriculture.
both specifically and generally. Among
these objects were Farmers Clubs, In
dendraininR. Native Apple Nurseries,
Thoroughbred Stock, Wheat Growing,
Agricultural Libraries, &C.. and the result
OF the specific premiums, especially those
running through term of years. has been
entirely satisfactory. We need have no
hesitation In saying for example. that the
stimulus given to wheat raising in Maine,
BY the premiums offered by agricultural
societies under directions from the Board,
have resulted in the the increased amount
sown and grown for several years and
especially the excellent crop this year,
which Will keep enough money at home.
that otherwise would have been sent out
Of the State for bread, to pay the expenses
Of this body for half century.
In this connection regret to say that the
characte of the annual exhibitions OF our
county societies has, failed to keep pace
with improvements made in other depart
ments of agriculture. With a few most
worthy exceptions they have lately been
comparative failures. The term "agricul-
tural horse trot'' formerly applied to them
in Jest has become too true in too many
cases. am glad to say the Board has
generally been on the right side in regard
to the tendency to make our Fairs simply
horse races, but feel we have not spoken
loud enough or with sufficient earnestness.
l think I can perceive a growing tendency
among our best farmers in opposition to
horse racing and its necessary vicious con-
'comitants at our Fairs, both State and
scou ntv, and hope to see the time when
1t shall be entirely disconnected from
them. ~ lsT "a
- Not only has the range of subjects treat
ed by the Board been wide and varied az
10 our State. but not a few new and at first
thought seemingly original and apparent
1y startling theOfies and propositions have
been presented. ~ we'll remember but a
few years ago when one of the members
.pcesented the subject of Fish as food for
Stock" having particular reference TO
feeding herring or porgy chum or pomace
to sheep, and sustained his position in its
favor by well taken facts, reasons and ar
guments. The effect upon the members
and. hearers was remarkable. Many ac-
-cepted it as joke. some pooh poohed. or
treated It with contempt. while the great
or number let IL 60 by default. But the
subject has been studied and looked into
and experimental with, and the original
position sustained, for the Superintendent
Or the College farm tells us that repeated
experiments under his own observation
proves 2the fish to be almost II not quite
equal IN value to Indian corn for food for
shsep. -a-~ sssa ~ ~s
Prominent among the subjects dis
cussed during later years has been
specially farming, which has been the
mems Of eliciting much information
and many arguments pro and con.
As q result and growing directly ont OF
these discussions we have our associated
dairying system, the manufacture of cheese
by the factory method. which | consider
one Of the best agricultural departures
ever made in our State. have faith in il
and .helieye il is yet to be leading, pay
Ing, and controlling interest in farming in
Maine We are now down to "hard pam
in,sactoEy cheese making. The expert
leuoe Of the past two years was not salts
fayeofy 10 many patrons of the factories.
and the milk receipts this year have been
much less than at first. There were sew
! eral good reasons for these results. not the
least OF which were inexperience and
3 hard. times In my section Of the State
portion of the factories have been in oper-
alton the past season receiving q reduced
/. amount Of milk and being worked on
snore economical system. The indica-
lions for this years results are favorable.
Tue stock Of cheese has been largely mar
keted ct comparatively paying prices-7
10 10 cts. per 10. which is high considering
! The price Of milk and butter. And still
: th6 greats underlying argument in favor
aof sseociatedT dairying--the gradual but
sure Improvement OF our soils and FARMS
holds Is true as ever. The experiment
shas been well begun in Maine. though at
tended by adverse circumstances, and
trust 1t will be continued through a series
Of years until better and larger herds of
cows. renovated and enriched fields and
s,farpss end those other, attendant advan-
tages. which always accrue to a person or
community which produces and sells a
manufactured or condensed article rather
thsnthe raw material, shall attest the VAL
ne and wisdom Of practicing associated
dairying In the old Pine Tree State.
During the decade the Secretary, who
Slepn1iy the head, front and exponent OF
the Board. has been once changed There
have been but three Secretaries since the
! oraanization, period of twenty-five
years.s Our annual reports, made up of
!. the papers and discussions of the Board,
reports of Societies &c., and issued under
the supervision Of the Secretary, compare
favorably with those Of any State in the
Union. The volumes for the twenty. five
years comprise In themselves a valuable
agriohhnral library adapted to the needs of
the farmers of our State. They are in
: great demand BY our farmers, and my
SmGl superintendent is but drop in the
bucket 81 demand, in my section.
Of course the Board has not maintained
an existence twenty-five years without
mssting opposition. Hardly session oil
the Legislature passes but some public
spirited member, hailing somewhere
from Qnoddy to Madawaska. upon whom
the mantle of reform" has fallen, in bis
AoWuF estimation, attacks the Board as 0
s.useless institution a 'leech upon the
traasurv~ and MANI 'sn.h andaar;r n