The Portland daily press., 1882-03-10

Attention was called to the fact that no al
lowance was made for use of land, &c.
Joseph Reed, of Windham, in 1877 planted
three acres which brought him $50 per acre
without reckoning the fodder, sufficient to have
purchased that year 450 bushels of Western
corn.
The question of the value of the waste was
fully discussed by several gentlemen. Most
were satisfied with the amount of waste re-
ceived back from the corn factories.
Mr.. Jordan, of Brunswick, packer and
raiser, stated that he made $500 from four
acres of corn. He described his method OF
planting. He thought that the farmers had an
idea that the packers were making more money
than they actually are. In packing he had
paid three cents can for twenty-six ounce
can.
Mr. Peter Lane, of Leeds, stated that he
cnuld plant an acre of corn for forty-five cents
1925 DER acre for planting and cultivating, u.s.
ing machine in each case He explained bis
method of preparing the soil.
Mr. Strout, of Gorham, thought the farmers
took as much risk in raising corn as the pack
ers. He explained his method OF preparing
his ground and thought that after all his pains
he could not use corn planter.
The meeting then adjourned until half-past
o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The meeting was called to order shortly
after half-past l o'clock.
Mr.. Lowell, OF. Gorham, being called on, said
that he had planted sweet corn since 1861 with
the exception of two years 1t was decided in
the Gorham grange not to plant corn less than
| four cents can. His son planted corn and
made $50 an acre. He cannot make it pay at
| present prices. He also did about the same
| himself and made up his mind to plant no more
| unless he could make more than that.
| Mr.. Winslow, of Falmouth. said that his ex-
| perience had been similar to that of the others
| The sentiment in his town is that at three
cents can the sweet corn business is not prof
| table. He was not so much displeased at the
| price as at the waste at the factories. He has
| been satisfied at times that there was a leak
| somewhere. He raised two acres and tended
| it carefully and received $83 for the whole
| He was much dissatisfied. He believed thai
| one trouble is that not enough dressing i!
put on the land, or, in other words, that the
| dressing is made to cover too much surface
| Unless more than three cents a can is given the
coming season he will plant nothing but yellow
| corn
Mr.. Pease, of Cornish said that the farmers
in his vicinity cannot raise sweet corn for thret
| cents can and make 1T pay.
Mr.. Cross, of Scarboro, said that he cannot
| raise corn for $185 hundred.
| Mr.. Smiley, of Skowhegan, OF the commit
| tee to consult with the packers committee, re
ported as follows:
The committee appointed by the chair to confer
| with the committee chosen by the several packing
firms, having attended to their duty, beg leave u
| report. Your commit met Mr.. James Z. Baxte
| of the Portland Packing Company, George Burn
| ham, Jr., of the firm of Burnham e. morrill,, ant
| Mr.. j. b. Webb of Bethel The consultation wa
friendly in the highest degree the point at issue be
ing an advance of the present price. We were kind
ly yet firmly informed by this committee that it Il
| impossible to continue the industry OF packing
| sweet corn in Maine and at the same time advance
| the price beyond cents for 26 ounces to the pro
Queer. The competition is of such magnitude tina