Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-18

well understands his subject, bstl, prac'
,ically and Theoretically is an interesting
speaker. copy from my notes his open
ing words, for they are good Tor all to
follow:
"Let no extravagant conclusions be
drawn, but go on safe business principles.
Farmers all know better than they do.
What is wanted is O waking up to better
practices. In order to do work well, we
need well-defned purpose. To well I'M
derstand what we want, then aim for It.
A young man, starting out In life, wants
to inform himself as to the best methods
Of doing his work. He should SO put
himself into his work as to be Identified
with It. In feeding stock said Mr.. Gill
bert. ait should be an axiom to feed well.
This does not imply high feeding. The
best results are obtained by feeding so that
all the food is consumed. 1t Is not best
to feed even good hay all the time. BY
so doing they are liable to loss of appetite.
give mine feed of good hay, after that
either poorer hay, straw or corn fodder.
I intend to do this every day, even with my
cows that are kept for q winter dairy.
This way Of feeding, with the addition Of
two quarts Of cotton seed meal, produces
good results at the pail. There are few
cattle foods which alone contain all the
elements OF perfect food. So It Is that
q judicious admixture Is best"
In answer to a question, Mr.. Gilbert
said that good oat straw, with one-fourth
Of the grain threshed from 1t added, was
equal to good hay.
In closing, Mr.. Gilbert said 1t is fact
established, that stock husbandry is q
branch of farm industry that will surely
pay IL rightly managed.
AFTER SUPPER,
Where again were found the ladies in
waiting, aud with an abundance OF food
on the tables, we went back TO the hall,
which was again filed with those ready 10
listen to Mr.. Wiggin of Aroostook. Before
he commenced,
MI HoLDRoOK,
Member OF the Board from Sagadahoc, was
introduced. On taking the floor, Mr.. II.
said. for I few moments only he would
talk OF how to keep boys on the farm.
Said he: The boys OF Maine are noble fell
lows. have read up there on your mon
ument, today, a record that tells the story.
or those who bore the names there re-
corded scarce one was more than twenty
five. Boys like them are worth something
and 1t Is worth something 10 keep such on
the farms. 1t is often the fault OF the
parents that they do not remain. There
is often good deal OF work and but little
recreation. There are few attractions
about the home or the farm, and but little
reading matter. II Is no wonder IT, under
such circumstances, the boys leave. Let
this be changed. Interest them IN the
farm, ana In the stock. Make them be-
lleve In farming, and this cry OF leaving
the farm will soon cease.
Mr.. Holbrook is a pleasant speaker, and
the subject Is one In which he feels deep
interest. The scribe has only attempted
to convey an idea of his manner of treat
ing II.
MR.. wIGGIS
Now took the floor. His subject was
"Aroostook for Young Men" This lee
ture was very well and carefully written,
and OF interest all the way through. In
fact, the writer was so deeply interested
as almost to forget to take notes. In be-
ginning, the lecturer said he was not going
to romance or say that Aroostook was a
paradise, but should contlne himself 10
facts. He gave its boundary in miles, its
area In square miles, thus showing that 1t
is big enough for great state of itself.
He told OF the amount OF farm products
that passed the custom.houses at the two
principal ports OF exit-Fort Fairfield and
Misunderstanding It TO be enormous for
country so recently developed in fact only
partly developed; OF what some OF the
farms produced, thus giving an idea OF the
fertility OF the soil; also OF the fine farms
and fine buildings now owned by men,
who, twenty years ago, began in the for
est with no capital but strong arm and
purpose to win success, show
ing that industry In sure Of reward. Said |
Mr.. Wiggin 81 do not urge all to go |
TO Aroostook; nor do / think 1t advisable |
for those who are we'll situated to do so
but for hard working, poor man, struggl-
ing along under hard circumstances, or
for a young man with nothing but his
hands, and stout heart, success Is almost
certain for one that intends to make farm
ing his business"
In describing the climate, Mr.. Wiggin
said that twenty years experience had
convinced him that it was as good as any
part Of Maine, or in fact of New England.
The soil Is fertile and easily worked, and
produces bountifully. The forests can be
cleared of for ten dollars an acre, and the
first crop pays for it and a handsome profit
besides.
The above is only very brief synopsis of
Of lecture that young men could have
listened to with advantage.
Good music was sandwiched in as often
IS an opening occurred. The meeting
then closed with the usual complimentary