Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-10
Reported for the OXFORD DEnocRAI
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Reported for the OXFORD DEnocRAr.
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Jan. 9th, 1880, a branch meeting Of
the State Board of Agriculture was held
at Grange Hall, Turner. A large num-
Der Of farmers were present, also quite q
goodly number of ladies. The meeting
was decided success and much interest
was manifested.
FORENOON SESSION.
Hon. Rufus Prince was called to the
chair. Subject announced for the FORE
noon: Breeding and care Of domestic
animals. Opened by Mr.. Joyle Of Sag
adahoc County. He said that thirty OF
forty years ago farmers were under the
necessity Of breeding from so called native
stock, but now there is no excuse for so
doing, for the facilities for breeding for a
specified purpose are within the reach oi
all, whether for work, beef or milk.
Some breeds have been so entirely bred
for beef that the milk producing qualities
have nearly disappeared, while Others
have been almost wholly bred for milk,
as the Jerseys and Ayrhires, 50 tha,
farmers may select such as will secure
the object they have in view. The milk
breeds have been much injured by breed
ing from young and immature animals.
All thoroughbreds are not perfect; some
are not worth registering in herd book.
Cattle should be kept in warm barns,
Though not necessarily costly ones) and
always treated with kindness, if the best
results are expected.
Mr.. Cobb of Poland, noted breeder
and butter maker, said speak from my
own experience in the care Of stock. To
one having the right conditions, butter
making is the most profitable. l do no,
keep full bloods, but it pays to keep stock
well; have tried both ways and know
got my idea Of keeping stock well at
the first meeting of the Agricultural
Board attended, and am much indebted
to it. l want good hay, then cotton seed
meal ard beet pulp; it is the best feed
ever used. don't guess at what 1 feed,
but have scales in my barn, and use them.
l have forty sheep that I keep on bee,
pulp and little hay, at an expense OF
fifty-six cents day; they have gained
from sixteen to twenty pounds apiece.
Mr.. Harris of Cumberland said all
farmers are interested in this question.
The kind of food has as much to do with
success in this matter as the kind Of breed
the best animals cannot be raised withou,
good feed. think that root crops are
one Of the most essential requisites fol
success; find with roots and hay my
cattle do better than at pasture in sum-
mer; fed over one hundred tons of root,
last winter. Beet pulp is the best and
cheapest feed / ever used.
Mr.. Shaw Of Minot: ! am old enough
to have a good deal Of experience, but am
unable to speak with certainty in many
of these matters; but / am satisfied that
cotton seed meal is cheaper for stock than
corn meal; this I know BY experience.
A gentleman here arose and said reg
ularity has much to do in the matter Of
profit. Would always feed BY daylight
if possible. ...l
z. A. Gilbert said, / cannot state with
certainty as to the comparative value Of
cotton. seed meal and corn meal as cattle
food, but nothing can be fed to stock Of
SO great manurial value as cotton seed.
The President now said he was about
to call on a gentleman Of considerable
experience as breeder. especially OF
steers; he meant the Hon. Solon Chase
Mr.. Chase in response said yes, / have
raised celebrated pair, and some hogs
and though / am reported as selling hog
for less than cost, yet l think it pays tc
keep them in connection with other stock
It pays to feed well and it pays to treat
well. Cotton seed is valuable as feed
and valuable as manure; saw its effects
down South. as where the refuse Of the
cotton gins is put on the land, the crops
are doubled.
Adjourned till afternoon.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Opened by singing by choir, followed
BY an essay by 2. A. Gilbert Of Turner
entitled "Tillage is Manure This wa,
very good paper. One Of its point
was that stirring the soil exposed a yer,
much larger surface to the influence q
sun and air, and rendered available thi
elements of plant food that are locked NJ
in the soil. There are thirteen elements
that enter into the composition Of plants
nature supplies most Of these; in nesrl,
every soil they are in such amount as Z
be practically inexhaustible, but are mo-
available, and cannot be until in q sol
uble condition. AL the elements mus
be in the soil, but man need in no instanc'
supply but three. A soil said to be ex
hausted may contain all the elements o
plant growth and yet be sterile. Thor
ough working and pulverization is wha
is Of the utmost importance if we are Z
get the best results. The speaker sale
he did not advise the farmers Of Main'
to expect to succeed without manure, bu
that good tillage would certainly add pro
ductiveness. b. y-..r...5. =.
Nelson Harris Of Poland opened tn
discussion that followed by saying tha
he had taken some of the best premium
on field crops, and it was owing to tn
thorough cultivation he gave to the lan'
on which they grew. @5.l5g: