Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-02-26
nidwinier Bulletin.

M;dwiuter Bulletin, No. ?, has just been
issued from the office of the State ooaiu VI
agriculture by Secretary McKeen. Inc
number Of replies received is large the
bulletin comprises 50 pages, and many OF
them are of more than ordinary interest,"
In summing them up Secretary Meheen
says:
From replies to the first question we are
lad tn the conclusion that while the num-
her of farm stock may have fallen on
somewhat, their value for work or produc-
top has increased, bv reason of Better care
and more liberal feeding. This Is parnc-
ularly true in regard to dairy stock. The
principal falling off in numbers seems to be
| in sheep and horses. The sheep 10 num-
| hers and horses in value. We would say
in connection with these changes. that dis
courayement should not result from pres
ent low prices. While perhaps it might
not be advisable to urge an Increase IN
either line, it is safe, certainly, to say
that those animals on hand should
not be sacrificed at ruinous prices, for, with
the lower prices will of necessity come less
production, and this will, of course, react
upon the market, especially for early lambs;
| and for good road, and driving horses.
| Therefore farmers should make the most
of such animals as they have, and expect IN
the end, an evening up of prices that will
max the business fairly profitable.
| Replies to questions two indicate, that
Notwithstanding the severe drought of last
/ summer, more stock fodder was grown than
in 1892. The increase being principally
| caused BY greater variety, and by grow
ing more crops for soilng. The sowing of
mixed grains to be cut and fed as hay, has
also tended to this result, and will, no doubt,
be increased this season.
The almost universal reply to the third
question is that farms are producing more
than formerly, or in other words, are gain
ing in fertility. This is fully true except
in some places where the practice of selling
100 much of the unfinished products Of the
farm in hay. grain, potatoes, ETC., is still
followed, and not enough attention paid TO
returning the plant food taken out of the
soil. The increase comes most, from sec
tions where dsirying is most common; and
where nc st attention is paid to keeping up
\ care full rotation of crops which shall yield
something for fodder nearly, if not every
year. The idea being that when good crops
re grown every year, the land must, of
necessity, be improving in fertility.
Replies to question four show, that there
have been G7 silos built the past season in
he State, of which were in Androscog-
gin county, II in Cumberland county
in Franklin county, in Hancock coun'y
Is in X. nnebpc county, in Lincoln
county, / in Oxford county, in Penob-
scot county, 10 in Piscstaquis county, 2
in Somerset county, in Waldo county
and in York county. The unanimous
reply to, "How are they pleased with the
results is, 'Well pleased
From two towns oniy, come reports of
silos not in use, and these were built some
years ago when the prevailing idea was that
the fodder must be put in very green, and
when the large growing varieties of Southern
AID Western corn, only, were grown for
ensilage. They are also in excelle mt hay
sections, which fact, of course, lessons
somewh hat the necessity for silos.
Replies to question five show those who
have silos are filing them with sweet corn
fodder, ears grown fer canning, yellow
corn, VI hite Southern corn, red cob ensilage,
Hungarian, and second crop grass. Most
of those who report have fed ensilage from
four to six years, and one man ten years.
The results in every case, with all kinds of
fodder, either whole or cut, are satisfac-
tory. Many adding that they could no,
farm without silo. The quantity of seed
used varies from eight to sixty-four quarts
per acre. All allow the corn to stand as
long as possible for frost, before cutting.
About GO per cent is put in whole and 40
per cent cut. The lengths vary from three
eights of an inch to four inches.
These reports would seem to show that
any large growing fodder can be successful
" put into the silo, either whole or cut, and
tnat it is more matter of choice or con-
venience, than anything else as to what the
practice should be. Only in one case does
complaint come from enei!age freezing, and
that was put up somewhat green.
In general, the tendency is toward a
closer feeding of all coarse folders, like
straw or swale hay, with supplements of
grain, either purchased or grown on the
farms, AMI the stock carrying capacity of
the farms are THEREBY much increased.
Answers to questions nine, ten and
eleven, show large amount Of work done
in the fall to forward work of early spring.
Manure either drawn out and worked into
the soil in the fall, or drawn out in large
heaps in the winter in readiness for use in
the spring. This, with most Of the land
powed in the fall, gives start that will be
of much value.
In most places where mixed grains are
sown, they are either oats and barley at the
rate of three bushels per acre, oats and
peas two bushels each per acre, or wheat,
barley and oats, one bushel of each per
acre.
The Improvements noted are better care
of farm stock, undertaking of wet places,
more and better hoed crops, and ore at
tention to roadsides and gardens.
1t is pleasing to note the evident fcelin
of satisfaction ard of desire to grasp all
better methods which seems to exist in all
sections of our State.
The Genuine ana the Sham.
mad 4iirrr haa IA Ioe e