Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-19


to do all our manufacturing largely b.
force of protection, let us also raise fo
the market all of the productions of TIN
farm which feed and clothe the people
by the same kind Of protection. Man!
hundred thousand dollars worth of egg
are imported into this country which ouI
farmers should furnish. The tariff
should be assessed on luxuries, and whei
reduced be taken off from the necessa
ries of life. Changers, discuss thes,
matters in order to arrive at an intelli.
gent conclusion in regard to what is for
your own interest. Many plausible plans
will be devised to serve the public, but
give the question your own careful
thought. A considerable portion of the
bonded debt of the nation is owned by
the banks, and deposited by them as Sc.
curity for the issue of S52, 900 900 of our
present currency. The speedy payment
Of these bonds may necessitate radical
changes in our banking system. This
also is an interesting question for your
study.
The National Grange was entertained
by highly interesting lecture from Prof
Peter Collier of Washington, an eminent
agricultural chemist, who has devoted
much time to experimental agriculture.
The farmers of Maine regret very much
that their expectations were disappoint-
ed in regard to the development of the
beet sugar industry in our State. l am
inclined to the opinion that circumstances
other than lack of merit caused its fail
ure. The Republic cOf France, commence
ing way back in the days of Napoleon,
by the force of energy, perseverance and
by protection by law from competition,
has developed an industry in the manu-
facture of sugar from the beet, which
not only supplies its entire population
with sugar, but is one of their most val
liable commercial exports. Recent ex-
periments at Washington, and the united
testimony Of those who are manufac-
turing sugar from sorghum through the
country, bear witness to its intrinsic
value. Japan produces yearly Ga, ,000, 900
pounds Of sugar from sorghum. Last
year the State of New Jersey, 800, 200
pounds. Sorghum seems to be as pro-
life in sugar as the sugar cane, and can
be cultivated in all latitudes. Worthy
State Master Simms of Kansas, submit
ted to the National Grange the follow
ing statement: "There was secured at
Hutchinson and Sterling, Kansas, from
the sugar industry, as follows: no bar
rels Of sugar, and 20 barrels of molasses
to the acre of land, with value of $S9. go.
The average yield of cane per acre was
10 tons. Other reports from New Jer-
sey and Pennsylvania give gratifying re-
suits. We expend $136 1000, 900 count
ing the duties in this country each year,
for foreign sugar. If possible, let us
make our own sugar, and in the early
future, science and experiment may
show that sugar from sorghum may
largely increase the profits of the Maine
farmer. Prof. Collier informs me that
our climate and soil are capable of such
results.
l desire to call your attention to the i'm
portance of sustaining the Grange and ag-
ricultural papers of our State, for they
are the "bOne and sinew" of our order.
Good literature is the "breath of intel
lectual life" Every Grange should have
library wherever it has q permanent
home. 1t will be of incalculable benefit
to the rising generation. Let us encOur-
age National agricultural literature.
Agricultural literature dates back Gen.
turies before the birth of Christ. From
the brightest days of the Roman Empire,
we have handed down to us the choicest
and most experimental treatises on agri-
culture. Cato, the senator, the mOralist
statesman and the farmer. wrote a book
on agriculture, entitled "De re rustica,' y
divided INTO 162 chapters, as complete
and instructive as that of any modern
writer. He lived nearly two centuries
before Christ. Cicero, the great Roman
orator, also wrote treatise on agricul-
ture, distinguished for purity and ele-
gance of style. There were many other
ancient agricultural authors, but none
more distinguished for grace of diction
than Virgil. The Bucolics and espe-
cially GeOrgics of Virgil are replete with
agricultural research and information.
'fThe best way 10 cultivate the soil,
Horticulture, the proper way to raise
horses and other cattle, the management
of bees" are subjects treated upon by
Virgil. History tells us that agriculture
at period near the dawn of Christian
ity, was languishing throughout Italy,
and that the inspiration and piety of Vir-
more vigOr, and the country more secur-
ity.
Virgil was the son of farmer, was q
great student of agriculture, and his pas
foral will always be read and admired,
being the best specimen of Latin poetry
Virgil was born 10 years before Christ,
and lived fifty-one years near the foot of
Mt. Vesuvirs, and died just before the
destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum
When in Naples, l visited virgips tomb
We passed from busy street through a
wicket door, and at once commenced to
climb up q winding and circuitous STAIR
case made to overcome steep ascent.
By the sides and overhead, hung festoonf
of luxurious grapes which afforded
ample protection from the scorching sun
On reaching the top of the ascent, we
found an humble cottage occupied by an
Italian peasant, who greeted us with an
Italian song. His voice was remarkable
for strength and sweetness, and its echo
came back to Us from distant hills. Fol
this we paid q reasonable compensation,
which also gave us free admission to the
tomb of Virgil. There was nothing at.
tractive about it. It was simple, and
dingy with age, but on the stone wa:
carved the name of Virgil. There was
inspiration here, for within this tomb
had rested for 1900 years the lover of ag
riculture, which he had immortalized in