Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-19
MAINE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Annual Meeting Held at the Capitol
Earnest Work and Long Hours OF the
Members.

committee on credentials be appointed b,
the chair. and F.. Stetson +. j. Gilkey an,
Thos. Dsgget, were appointed that commit
tee.
The committee reported the following per
sons elected W. W. Harris. Cumherlan,
county: A. A. Pike, Oxford county, and j
NJ. Deering, York county, were reelected
&. J. Shaw, Somerset county, and F. $
Adams, Sagadahoc county, were elected
The following gentlemen were chosen a.
committee ON pay roll ID. W. Campbell. l..
Il. Blossom, A. j. Tolman.
The advisory committee Prof, NJ. G
Fernald, President of the Maine State Col
lege, President b. A. Burr of Bangor.
The reading of the Secretary's report fol
lowed. The report was terse and 10 III,
point Mr., Gilbert showed that it had been
his aim TO make the agricultural report as
concise as possible, but owing TO the space
occupied by other departments the report
contained 5ss pages. Twcnty-thrse insti-
tutcs have been held during the year and
four more have been appointed. This mum.
Der had failed TO meet the demand. The
Secretary showed that there was much more
work required than is commonly though,
necessary.
/ The reading of the report was followed bv
remarks by several gentlemen.
I Prof. Fernald, President of the Maine
State College made the following motion
which was unanimously passed
! The Maine Board of Agriculture, now in
session, recognizing the great importance to
the agriculture of our country of the expert
mental work and Investigations To be carried
on by experimental stations organized under
the Hatch bill, respectfully urges an appro-
priatiou by Congress for this specific pur-
pose
1t was also moved and seconded that the
Secretary be authorized TO forward this rcso-
luton by telegraph Immediately TO Mai. Al
word AT Washington. The motion was pass
ed. The meeting then adjourned till 2 Z. Nj
AFTERNOON.
The meeting was called to order by Chair
man Burr.
Secretary Gilbert read letter from Hen
ry Turner, president of the Turner Dairy
Association, in regard TO premiums received
at the Eastern Maine fair on an exhibit of
creamery butter.
The Board of Agriculture gave out money
for payment of the full premium but it
seems that the butter association received
only part of the premium and the remainder
was kept back because there was no compe-
titor Considerable discussion on the qucs-
ton followed, The premiums came from
the State funds.
Mr.. Harris moved that a committee of
three he appointed TO take the matter into
consideration. The motion was passed. j.
NJ. Decriug, York J, G.. Shaw, Somerset,
and :. G.. Watson, kcnnehcc, were chosen
as that committee.
Next III order came the report of the com
mittcc on pay roll.
/ "Shal the institute work be modified" "
was the subject discussed by j NJ. Deering
of \ ork county. Mr.. Dcering spoke feel
/ ingly of the past year aud the changes it had
wrought in the State, some of which had been
sad. lie showed the great responsibility
which rested on the farmer. the range of
competition widening and the demands in
creasing, The report of 1867 was compared
with that of the present year. The compari-
son showed in slight degree the great ad-
vance which has been made. But in the
face of the advantages derived the appropri-
ations have been cut down. The county in
/ stitutc has been success II was advised
that fewer institutes should be held. Pomona
oranges are, in measure taking their places.
OF late outside work has been called in.
/ The board to keep pace with the farmers,
enlightened by the grange, must dig deeper.
/ lie believed IN having agriculture diversified
and prorCctel. OF all the useful pursuits of
life there is family dependence among
them.
d. W. Campbell of Washington County
followed with paper discussing the ques-
I ton Can the Present Apportionment be
lmprovcd?" He called attention to the pres
ent apportlonment of money. 1t is the duty
of the Board to learn what societies need the
more aid and protection. Dividing the
money equally is not always dividing it just
~. Agriculture in the northern and south
eastern part Of the State needs more pro-
lection than other portions The subject
was put in clear light and created consider
! able discussion.
Remarks were made to the effect that the
present manner of apportionment was not the
most just though in accordance with the
statue. 1t had happened that the stronger
sometimes got more aid than the weaker
ones.
Secretary Gilbert made clear some pecul-
iarities of the present apportionment State
aid is apporiioned according to the disburse-
ments of the society The most successful
societies have the largest disbursements
Examples were cited showing the unfairnps.
VI NV present HlftuOl VI IL
was shown how easy it would be for dis
honesty to creep in. Another injustice ap
pcared in the fact that one society in the
State receives 5000 by special act Of the
legislature, without any contingencies ex
ccpt that this amount be expended in pre-
miums The matter of apportionmcni
created considerable interest and discussion
Mr.. Watson followed Mr. Gilbert witt
( some practical suggestions
Mr. Decring followed Mr. Watson will
certain facts to show that there are too many
societies Mr.. Campbell expressed that il
his county an act giving the money to ons
society only would work an injustice.
Mr.. Harris made the suggestion that tht
Board should choose a committee to repcr
possible changes to the next legislature.
Mr. Gilbert said that Massachusetts, give'
$500 to each agricultural society, wherea
Canada gives $500 to each society. Mr.
Gilbert also made the suggestion, to put th'
apportionment in the hands of the Board o.
Agriculture.
Mr.. Deer ng that a society which hal neeI
judicious should not have portion of thei
stipend taken for the use of society which
hal become poorer by reason Of imprope
management.
Mr. Ellis expressed desire to hear from
one of those prosperous societies which woulC
be willing to give up part of their aid to
weaker society.
Mr. Gilkey, of Strong, thought the appor
tionment should be left with the legislator
because of the natural scltishness of mem
bers of the Board. Mr.. Gilkey's last remarl
va, greeted with laughter.
Mr.. Gilbert thought that the average judg
ment Of this board was good and right judg
ment.
Mr. Burr, being called upon, thought tha
it was useless to attempt to thoroughly dis
cuss the matter in the present limited time
He thought il should be deliberately acted up
on by a committee which could propose natu
raj plans to the legislature to be acted uPol
by that body
Prof. Fernald seconded the proposition t
elect a committee and made few pertinen
remarks on the question before the meeting
Mr. Watson thought that the suggestion L
give stated aid to each society was bette
than the present method, but thought tina
better suggestions could be made. HI