Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-03-27
ocod Advice to Young Farmers

The subject dice a.sed ss the last meeting
Of the Penobscot Farmer Cisb at Pine
Grove Hall. Brewer, vas "WhAs crops is il
advissbIe to raise the coming season?"
The meeting was very interesting. and the
remarks Of the different speaker we're
eagerly hs'ened to.
One Who spoke upon the question said
be would not undertake 10 advise the older
farmers present - TO what crops and farm
sto Il they should raise. IS they all probably
knev their business and the capabilities of
their sol, to produce paying crops, better
| than any farmer living at = distance where
the coil and market sere entirely different
could tell them. But he would advise the
young men who were just commencing IN
the business to first make themselves IA
miliar with the soil. they were to cultivate
and the demands Of the market IN order 10
learn What crops were best adapted to the
situation, then he would provide fret the
demands Of his fanily-keep cows enough
to supply milk and buttsr-hens 10 supply
eggs-raise his own pork. beef aad mutton.
He would start it'll the 5es. breeds Of each,
if it was but one animal, and they would be
astonished to hnd the short time il took to
stock the farm with animals that would COM
msDd the highest market price But to do
this successfully would require constant
care and wafehfulness on their part and
necessiiate careful study of the standard
works treating upon Arrangements of each
animal and they could be ootaided At
rrifling cost. The best of machinery must
be used for every department in order 10
work the farm to ito full capacity. II has
been proved possible, with modern farm
tools to force III. farm, with . comparative
little extra expense, to double aud treble
the crops, (farms now produce more in one
year than formerly In three) and young
farmer must be awake to these possibilities.
The speaker said be believed farming in
Maine, At the present time held
out more inducements to young men
who we're qualified by taste and edu-
cation for the business, than any other in
dus.ry. OF course 1t must be well managed
and pushed with the same determination
and industry that is required for success ia
any other department of life, and industrial
statistics proved it beyond doubt. Poor
farming has had its day all successful
agriculture must be based upon barn dress
ing and commercial fertilizers, used with
intelligent discretion. The farm affords
the best chance n the world 10 develop
brain power. Luck has nothing to do with
the fate of our farm crops; God never fails
to help those who have faith and do their
part faithfully.
By plorghing under heavy coat of
strawy manure and top dressing with coat
of well rotted manure, the most stubborn
soil can be mellowed so it will be pleasure
to work IT,
He advised all farmers either old or
young to be sure to look after the family
| vegetable and fruit gar1en fist of all
Squashes, tomatoes, celery, beeis. psrsnips,
turnips, lettuce. onions, currants, straw
berries, etc, can be easily raised and cared
for if cultivated in rows upon good soil
and weeded with the approved machinery
for the purpose. To raise early veg
etables necessitates small hot bed be-
ing started the last of March, or il near
the city the plants can be obtained Of
market gardeners Is cheaply but with much
more trouble. The female members of
the family will see that the rows of choice
flowers even are not left out of the garden
for they know the men will be better for
their beauty and fragrance. and the infiu-
ence they breathe is OF Divine origin and
that they bring q sweet benedictlon into
every home they enter.
The garden is . constant educator
va ching the development Of the various
products and the joy experienced at haai
success of experiments, are pleasures that
| none but gardeners ever experience. The
time spent is usually the "odds and ends"
that would be wasted, and should not prop
erly be reckoned in the labor account.