The Monitor., 1888-11-23

Gloucester 90. Board of Agriculture.
a respectable number Of intelligent far
mers attended the meeting OF the Board of
Agriculture on Saturday afternoon at Null
lica Hill to discuss the question of EARN
Labor
a scarcity of laborers, especially of the
kind most needed, was said to exist. Va
rious causes were assigned for this condi-
ton of affairs. 1t was asserted that the
hours system adopted by other callings
made farm hands restless under the long
day system that seemed to be necessary on
the farm. False ideas of gentility led the
young men to make the cities their homes,
and less capable helpers had to be obtain
ed. The low prices for produce that have
prevailed for SO long renders it hard to pay
the high wages demanded by laborers.
While produce, especially staple crops, was
never lower, farmers have to pay war
prices for help
The remedies suggested for the existing
evil were numerous. Farmers should
make their days shorter. Hired men
should not be required to work sixteen
hours, and in the market season twenty
hours
By teaching the rudiments of agricul-
ture in our public schools the children will
pccOiilt tittttSbcd III JilC IdiiilGES
and will get the idea that there is some
thing in farming besides hard work.
The protection of farm produce against
the competitions of that from foreign lands
would, it is said, help to raise the prices of
American crops. The farmer has as much
right to protection for his wheat, cabbage,
potatoes, wool and eggs as the manufac.ur
er has for any of his products, This should
not be considered political question.
If farmers would cooperate in selling
what they produced they would get larger
profits More attention is given to the
raising of his crops than to the best method
of disposing of them, and hence it requires
pretty much all the proceeds to pay the
hire.
AS there appears to be an over-produc-
tion of crops and not enough boys on the
farm it was suggested that the farmers
raise moro boys and less truck, SO that
there might be enough boys to supply the
the cities and still enough left to meet the
wants Of the farm.
There was hopeful feeling that the
tide would turn toward agriculture soon.
The increasing populations in the cities
must be fed. AS the proportions in the
cities increases the demand for food will
increase and the farmer will be better paid
for what he grows.
The foreign immigration that formerly
drifted Westward is now inclined to stop
in the East. Instances we're given of far
mers who had secured excellent men from
among the new arrivals through employ
ment agencies in Philadelphia.
Franklin Dye, Secretary of the State
Board, was present at the meeting and add
ed interest to the discussion. He also
spoke briefly of the work of the Board of
Agriculture and the respectful attention
given by the Legislature to any suggestions
made by farmers through it. He earnestly
urged that it be heartily sustained by the
county boards. Mr.. Dye was requested to
come again and address the farmers at a
special meeting 20 be called at an early
date.
Samples of corn were shown by three
members, and the mode of planting was
discussed. The general impression seem
ed to be that Gloucester county farmers
were planting too close; that the
richer the ground and the bigger the stalks,
the wider apart the hills should be to let
in light and air. The old-time distance OF
5x5 gave better results in grain than AKA
or even 45x4I = Constitution.