The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-05
FOSTERING AGRICULTURE.
Some Practical Suggestions as to
How the State Can Assist 1t.

To the Editor Of the Press:
Noticing your comments on the suggestions
of the secretary of the State Board of Agri-
culture in the PRESS for January 3Oth, re-
s Iectfully ask that, if you deem it worthy,
you should give the following place in
your valuable paper.
1t has been source of pleasure to me as
member of the Board of Agriculture to no.
tice the favorable comments made upon the
action of the board at its last annual meet
ing by the newspapers throughout the state,
aud trust that no misunderstanding may
occur to mar the work of those who have
the good of agriculture at heart That farm
g has declined in Maine no one doubts
The reasons for this are plainly set forth by
you, SHARP competition from the West and
the unequal burdens of our present system
of local and state taxation" Now as all are
ready to admit the facts and also read, to
admit that without fiourishing agriculture
no state or country can prosper, it becomes
us to try to put some means to work that
shall help place the farming interests of our
state on the highroad towards prosperity.
Agriculture can be fostered by the state by
devising system of taxation that shall bear
justly upon all classes OF property, and not
tend to place the brunt of burdens of taxa
ton on our farms; by passing laws that
shall encourage farmers to improve their
farms and homes: by placing
thrift, instead of discouraging
these qualities, as is now the case. Place an
nducement before our farmers to add value
to their estates by some system that shall
leave off of the assessors books such i'm
Drovements as shall from time to time be
made on the farms or around the houses. If
there is any man with pluck enough to start
large business upon any of our farms en-
courage him to do so by relieving him from
paying taxes on certain portion for a GER
tain time. l do not think farmers are in
cined to complain of the state unjustly.
They are aware of the many advantages
they now enjoy, but they cannot help feeling
hat they do not receive the help the i'm
portance of their calling and the exigencies
OF the case demand. While tho State Board
"f Health, the superintendent of schools, the
commissioner of labor, and many other
branches are receiving liberal support from
the state, have fair salaries and means at
their command to carry on the work as
Agriculture has salary far below what the
duties of the position demand, and is
cramped and hindered In his work by the
small amount OF the appropriation for insti-
tlte,, work, and this industry,
whicn :, is the ped rock OF all
dwindle and falter and drop out of existence
for the wants of proper legislation. Is this
just? Is it wise? Does it not well become
all who are interested in the progress and
advancement of all industries in our state
to help on the ball which is now well in mo
tiOn that shall not cease or falter until the
business of farming is placed upon an equal
f00ting with other less important branches
of business? For the State College of Agri-
culture and Mechanic Arts we are all truly
grateful. 1t has course of agriculture and
course of mechanics and fits students to
fill any position with ability. Its doors are
open TO all who may wish to enter, and it has
a grand and noble future before it. The Ex-
pertinent Station is now well equipped by
the money placed at its disposal by the
Hatch oil" and 1t only remains for the
state to take the matter in hand and give us
fair proportion of the fostering care it be-
slows upon its several industries, and Maine
shall stand out as an agricultural state with
population that shall bring to our farms
and village homes valuable citizens from
abroad and help build up all that goes to
make prosperous and happy state.
b. WALKER MCKEEN.
WEST FRYEBURG, February 3. 1890.