Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-07-23
NO. 176.
Mistell;lncous.
AGRICULTURAL. on
NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS.

a man in Illinois, complaining Of the
low price of good farming lands, asked an
Englishman how he accounted for IT, He
said "Yes, the price of land is low in
deed when we see such rich lands and
farms selling, as we now see, ut $40 to
S25. But these prices represent the in
debtedness Of the country, and not the
value of the lands II we were out of
debt they would be worth $40 or $50 to-
day, and they will be Just as soon as we
have reached this point, the price rising
meantime in direct proportion as the debt
is discharged Here is the keynote to
hard times-indepted owing beyond
the ability to pay.
w. c. Barry says the Frederic Capp is.
undoubtedly, the best American pear yet
introduced. and that it is not little strange
that so delicious variety OF the pear
should have met with so cool reception.
1t is of the Beurre Supertine type, and by
good Judges is deemed its superior. He
adds that the new French variety. the Pc
tite Marguerite, of medium size, flesh fine,
juicy, melting and vnous, with n rich per-
ilime is mentioned as deserving more at
tenton. 1t ripens ten days before the
Bartlett.
Grapes that received special commenda-
ton among the new and noticeable varie-
ties rs of promising value, by the late
Nurserymen's Association at Cleveland
are the Prentiss, the Iiocklington the Nj
agara. the Duchess and the early Dawn,
Endorsements that should BE-, remembered
by growers. .-
Thorough cultivation is the only sure
eradicator of weeds. Where weeds are
rampant in field, garden ordooryard, SLOW
enliness, laziness, or too much work for
the help employed, is the obvious reason
for such condition of things. Weeds must
be destroyed if one would have his culti-
waited grounds productive and pleasant
to look upon by those who have occasion
to pass them ffH
The French government is developing
the carrier-pigeon service in earnest. In
Paris and twelve other fortified towns
about G000 of these carrier-pigeons are
kept at the public expense. The art of
breeding and training is taught to and by
the officers and the soldiers, and much of
the communication is carried by the pig
cons. Prizes are given for pigeon races
by the Ministers of Public Instruction and
Agriculture.
j. b. Lawes, the distinguished English
a9rlculttlrlst, lately reau Il paper on tDe
question-"Is higher farming a remedy
for lower pricesP' To put the question
plainly, said Mr.. Lawes, .'suppose per-
manent reduction in the prices of the pro-
ductions of the farm to be 20 per cent.
would the proper remedy be to increase
our produce per acre by one-fourth. and
so bring up the value to the same amount
as before ?' His answer is in the mega
tive, predicated on the Increased cost of
manurng. The editor of the Country
Gentleman dissents from the conclusion of
Mr. Lawes. This discussion seems to in
volve the question, which pays better. high
or low farming. or some Intermediate place
between these extremes? ? A very import
ant inquiry, one that can be answered only
by careful tests upon scientific and business
principles. Who will be first to solve this
problem that so much concerns farmers
who must live by farming?
Rats and mice are among the worst
pests that grain farmers have to contend
with. Cats and traps are used for their
eytermnation, but often fail TO keep them
in check. A corn house was lately visited
where it was estimated that some. eight or
ten bushels of corn had been destroyed by
these filthy intruders. How shall they be
expelled and kept away, is an inquiry of
serious import. fie