Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-21

Here is a grand field for home invest
ments, there being practically no limit save
that of brain capacity in the investors, the
ability to comprehend and appreciate the
conditions which underlie success.
On these higher levels, near the frost line
Nature has concentrated her energies, her
flavors, her richest juices, and the pro-
ducts of our farms command . higher
range of rices be cause of greater intrinsic
xorth. In value received by the producer
| the output of Name farms may readily be
| made second to no stste in the Union.
Measured by experience and observation
there is 10 my mind no doubt that this
condition is to be reached and, as
the organized focieties represent the
indivi lu.l workers. the relation they
.ustain towards the so called industrial in
| teIests, becomes, to you, gentlemen, of i'm
portance and deep significance. As time
passes and, through the influence of the
educational organizations now leaveniDg
the lump, the individual farmers come to
recognize the power and necessity for CO.
| operation, as manifested by other classes,
the fact will be impressed upon US all that
e giculture is the Industry of Maine, and
| ot to be considered of minor importance:
One fact should be remembered-that
agriculture is the only industry, save per-
| haps the ice, dealing with the raw products
Of the State, which does not sap our ener-
gies and reduce our prospective output.
| Profitable agriculture is storing energies, in
creasiug crop fertility and improving the
carrying capacity of the farms. 1t thu
| il sures wealth to the State in years to come
Admit in any degree the correctness OF
my position, and the question at once pre-
| euts itself whether the State board of trade
| nd kindred organizations might not, With
| ;rofit, seek a more intimate relation with
| his, the foundation industry of the world,
hat its advance and development be most
| rapiily secured. In the wisdom Of the
State, agricultural societies have been in
orporated for certain specific purposes.
| The original act of Legislature show these
| 60 be sto advance agriculture and promote
| mechanics That these societies have
| irifted somew hat from original landmarks
there is no question, but this has resulted
chiefly through the apathy of the industrial
classes.
We will readily admit that the most rap
| id growth and advance will be secured when
| all classes and interests unite to impress
the worth of each department upon the
public through the medium of the press
and the yearly exhibition of raw material
and manufactured products. These two
channels lead directly to the OCEAN of con-
sumption, IN reaching which there is great
est individual prosperity. The helping
| loyal ir fluence of the press is recognized
but it may seriously be questioned whether
| the annual exhibition has been improved as
it might. In fact, through the neglect Of
The industrial representatives to assist in
completing these exhibits, very many Of
our societies have been obliged to rely en-
tirely upon the agricultural portion for
their exhibitions.
In time, criticisms have arisen because
Of one-sided exhibits, and these naturally
been followed by lack of interest. When
IN agricultural society has prepared
it's grounds and opened its gates for an ex-
hibition, there can be no excuse for failure
to improve the opportunity for enforcing
lesson, by any clsss or corporation. 1t is
"the advancement of agriculture and pro-
motion of mechanics" which is primarily
the object sought for, but behind this is
that overshadowing fact, the ertension Of
the business possibilities Of the State OF
Maine. The local effect may be slight,
but the far reaching influence cannot be
mea sured, and it is this, and this alone,
which demands Of every business man his
assistance.
No State was ever advanced or promoted
who.e business men thought only OF I'M
mediate trial balances. Growth comes
only in return for inve stments made on
long time. If you admit the claim for the
possible magnitude of the agricultural pro-
ducts of the State you must also admit the
necessity for promoting these as means
of adding to the wealth of every other in
dustry. As an illustration, the extension
of our summer resorts and building of pa
latial residences and cottages by the
wealthy, which shall cover every command
ing point and dot every hillside is one of
the possibilities to be made certain as the
worth of our pure air, water and ever
varying scenery is appreciated, but the
great drawback today is to be found in the
difficulty in procuring near at hand the
choicest products of the farm, garden,
orchard and dairy fresh every day. AS
these special lines of production are
strengthened and the fact assured, the
number of incomers will increase.
Agriculture is an industrial pursuit and
to be so treated. 1t should have its place.
and be recognized ia the deliberations of all
industrial bodies seeking the advance of
our material interests. The divorce of the
past. while natural, has acted against this
and in favor of other occupations. Agri-
cultural societies should be the most active
bodies in promoting the varied industries of
the State. If they have failed the cause is
to be found iu the fact that there has been
wanting that unanimity of sentiment and