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

In our published programme for the ses-
sion of the Board one year since we were
promised paper entitled "Twenty Years
at the Board from the pen of the member
from Hancock-the Nestor of the Board
who was present almost at Its inception,
has been connected with it since, and
who We trust has yet many years 70
serve as one Of its members. 4, We were
all anxious TO hear the paper read for we
knew it would be full Of meat--spicy.
able, witty and interesting, therefore We
were sorry to learn he had been unable TO
prepare it for that session. and trust he
may yet be able to do so in the not far dis
tant future. .e,,..-. ...., ~ W, - -
But while pondering on the subject of
what an eventful history has been that of
the Board for twenty years. am led to
recall many events which have occurred
and changes which have taken place even
during half that period, the last decade,
during which | have been connected with
the Board in an official capacity. Its ten
years history is we'll worthy q Competent
narrator. Pardon me If l occupy your
time for few minutes with some ramb-
ling notes, hastily penciled, of some more
prominent events which have occurred
during my ten years at the Board. 40, ei
Well do remember the first meeting
of the Board which l attended. The
sessions were then held at the State House,
Augusta, in the northern basement-a
room half lighted, poorly warmed, lily
ventilated ed-considered by outsiders good
enough for farmers. The meetings we're
made up of the members of the Board, an
occasional member of the Legislature who
dropped in from curiosity, and rarely
farmer from the vicinity. The farmers
and citizens generally who should have
been interested hardly knew Of its exis-
tence and had no part or parcel with it.
But | will say that the members of the
Board nobly performed their specific
duties. Some of the best and ahIest
papers and essays ever presented. to us or
printed in our reports were first given to
the public in that little, dark, cold, close.
cheeress, scented room In. the North
corner OF the basement of the Capitol.sall6
But the system Of sessions has been rad-
ically changed during the past ten years,
and the change, unlike many others, has
been an improvement. Our sessions are
now held semi-annually instead Of annual
ly, and at different sections Of the State
instead Of at one place. 80 that Whatever
advantages may be derived from them all
portions OF the State are equally favored.
Their character has also been modifed.
improved and enlarged, and like tuis ses-
sion they spartake OF the plan al . 6raaars.
conv vention more than Of a ,forsN6l Uodv.
and all interested are cordially invited TO
participate in the meeting and discussions.
| acknowledge at first was not favorably
inclined to the plan of putting the Board
on Wheels" as the change was termed by
one of our facetionsly inclined members.
but experience has made me its advocate
and entirely satisfied, This plan carried
the meeting to Fryeburg a year ago. TO
Calais not long since, and brought us here
to-day, thus traversing the extremes of our
noble State and giving all sections and all
farmers and persons interested IN oppor-
tunty. to participate in the ,procssdings--
to give and receive, and to obtain the
benefits and advantages If there are any
accruing from the sessions. / think tie
wisdom of the change has been fully
established. ,a.isrl 4nl .se- saiflaaiFJb
Another notable change for the. better
which has occurred during the past ten
years is the addition Of the scientific mem
bers from the colleges to the Board, thus
add.ng an element of strength and inter-
est hitherto wanting, in a large degree,
and uniting learning and experience and
theory and practice in one body. A direct
come xion has also been effected between
the State College Of Agriculture and the
Board. by which we see members Of its
faculty and its students with us taking
part in in the exercises of the session. In
fact the College OF Agriculture and
Mechanic Arts has been one of the
growths Of the past ten years. The long
and somewhat fierce struggle which re-
suited in establishing it separate institu-
ton and thus giving il chance and right
to be something, and made it what it is, is
still fresh in our minds, and am glad to
remember the Board took the right view
Of the matter and spoke with no uncertain
sound The farmers and mechanics of
Maine should congratulate themselves
that their College has been fairly inaugu-
| rated under such adverse circumstances,
and that it is so far so we'll meeting and
sustaining the hopes and expectations OF
those who have labored in its beha4esee
During these ten years the Board has
discussed and dealt with q large number
and variety of subjects pertaining 70 a&fi-
cultural practice and economy. ands0Opg
the bushels,of chaff gathered, thsrs have
| Deeu uudHJ SiuihS u s,OtN--0SSS8y8 Anu
papers, discussions and recommendations.
practices and precepts. which have been
worthy OF any State or institution, and Of
specific interest and value to our citizens
and the community 1t is useless TO ri.
tempt to enumerate the subjects Of special
Importance which from time to time have
occupied the attention of the Board, for
time and space would fail even il memory
would allow. There is ne section of the
State, where our sessions have been held.
but that seemed to require that some spe-
cific subject adapted perhaps to iss specisl
needs should be discussed and dweh upon.
and the Board has never failed TO do il
duty in the premises. Thus for Aroostook
it may have been Stock-raising and Dairy
ing, for Somerset. Sheep Husbandry, Ior
Androscoggin, Fruit-growing--fers = -one
place the hay crop, for another root-eul-
ture, &C.. &C., as may have. appeared 10
be best adapted to or required 10 the com.