Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-06-28
AaiIp &enlrebtr Journal.
Augusta, Tuesday Morning, June %.
Agricultural Report.

AkIICtAletAI0A AeSpOhts
The twenty-fourth Annual Report of the
Secretary Of the Maine Board Of Agricul-
ture, for the year 1880, is work OF much
interest and value to the farmers Of the
State. Secretary Gilbert has spared no
pains or eGort to make every page OF il
practically useful, and has succeeded adj
mirably. lift does not render good SER
vice to the State, and particularly to the
farmers, it will not be the fault Of Mr..
Gilbert, who has done his work conscien-
tiously, and with a thorough understand
ing of what he is required to do.
The opening pages contain the names
of the members and officers of the Maine
Board of Agriculture Of 1880. the act of
the Legislature remodeling the Board,
and the report proper Of the Secretary,
giving an account Of his labors and the
general condition Of agriculture and
agricultural organizations in the State
during the year past This is followed
by paper from Secretary Gil
bert upon ''Silos and Ensilage, "
which from its careful and thorough
treatment of the subject,-one which
is now occupying the thoughts Of
most progressive farmers-is calculated
to produce an excellent effect in the way
of instruction and caution in regard to
this matter. In farming as in other af-
81 "a l. I~1s a. hot in rtf h1-
fore we go ahead too rapidly. 1t will
save sometimes unnecessary expense, dis
appointment, and encouragement
Other papers follow this from men dis
tinguished as agriculturists, all of which
will repay close examination and study.
The first is an article upon Cattle Foods
and Methods of Producing Them" by A.
w. Cheever, Agricultural Editor OF the
the New England Farmer. If there is
any way better than others of producing
food for cattle the farmers of Maine ought
to know it, and this article will at least
set them to thinking about it. and
thinking ought always to go be-
fore acting The next paper is upon
the principles of Manuring," by W. IL.
Jordan, Instructor in Agriculture at the
Maine State College. This subject every
farmer ought to understand, but the most
of them need instruction in regard to it.
II Iies at the foundation of good farming.
They will lind valuable lesson in this ar
ticfe Extensive Farming for Success"
is the title of paper by Prof. J. W. San
born, of the New Hampshire College of
Agricultural practical as well as scien-
tifc article, touching the very marrow of
the question which all good farmers would
like to have answered. The remaining
PAPERS are: 'Apples for Aroostook," by
DIR. 7. II. Hoskins of Newport. Vermont.
"Iiutter Dairying." by G.. NJ. Gowell.
President of the Board of Agriculture.
1.-The Scientific Principles OF Cattle Feed
ing" by Albert b. ALBERT Prof of Chem
istry at the Maine State College. "Sugar
from Sorghum and Corn Stalks" by Prof
Peter Collier. Chemist to the Department
OF Agriculture, delivered before Farm
era' Institute at Brunswick last February
Washington County Farming" by A. r.
Lincoln. Member of the Board of Agricul-
tufe for Washington County. Improve
ment of the Grass Crop" by Erastus Ler-
mend member for Knox County The
work closes with statement concerning
the affairs of the Maine State Agricultural
Society. showing its financial condition
and receipts and expenditures on account
of the Fair of 1880; also statement of
the financial condition of agricultural So
cieties in the State for the year 1880.
If the intelligent farmers of the State
will take this report and study it instead
Of allowing it to remain unopened upon
their book-shelves, as too many have been
IN the habit of doing with other agricultur-
nj reports. they will find it one of the
most interesting and profitable books
which they can read as a help in their
business. The application of knowledge
and brains to farming is a necessity if the
WouiU tuIlNc dt HIS buSl-
ness. The earth yields its best reward
to those who cultivate it best. The day
is past when our fields can be made to
laugh with bountiful crops merely by
tickling them with hoe.
Another warning against the practice
OF carrying pistols. The Tribune of Sat
urday says: drunkenness. jealousy and
pistols caused two serious crimes yester-
day. 4 man in New York shot his wife,
and man in Newark put bullet in the
head of his sweetheart and another in his
own. No cause can be ascertained for
either crime beyond sudden flash of
jealous temper and a handy weapon. The
carrying Of pistols is a practice which is
dangerously common among men Of the
lower classes in our cities. 1t is probable
that neither of the guilty persons in these
two shooting affairs had the intention of
attempting murder moment before the
deed was done. II they had had no wea-
pons their quarrels would have done no