The Portland daily press., 1895-08-28

~ ~#~S>AW AWaNN W.
PRESIDENT FRANCIS H. APPLETON.
which financial aid is distributed by the
national government for purposes OF pro-
noting agriculture, and enlightening our
people who are interested in our calling.
1t is important that such aid be used
with the best Judgment IN order that the
best results may be obtained. 1t is the
taxpayers contribution, and to be con-
tinued freely it must be wisely expended;
In endeavoring to attain such results, L
share, with others, in such responsibility.
believe that each State is today in
receipt annually for college and expert
ment station purposes out OF the natlonal
treasury or from funds previously estab-
lished, about s55, 900, and the work that
is now being done by the department of
agriculture at Washington is represented
by an annual outlay of about 81, 4S8, S43,
which latter figures relate to the estimate
made for the present year. The results
OF all this expenditure can be OF the great
est value to our agriculturists, if used
with wisdom.
AS / stated to the trustees of this society
at the time when they chose me their
president last spring, at no time has the
need of a truly New England Society for
! the advancement of matters agricultural
!
now. And I feel sure that the efforts of
all those who have striyen to bring about
| this great fair and to bring together these
interesting exhibits and the large num-
bers of people who are sure to congregate
here, from all over New England, to re-
new old acquaintances and to make new
friends will forever be appreciated and
generally approved.
| / believe that our experiment stations
will gradually become more and more ap-
preciated by our farmers, and increase in
usefulness, and that the wise choosing of
| their boards of trustees by the executives
of our States will continue a heavy re-
sponsibility.
On the continent of Europe, where the
careful study of agricultural problems has
for many years occupied the minds of
| students Iand professors, in experiment
stations sand colleges, we find that the
government is the great power behind
such work; while in England, although
some government appropriations are made
for such purpose, to large extent like
work is conducted by organizations of
individuals, whose contributions annually
and the income from established funds
are very effeosiYe and equally power for
good.
The finest and most complete show of
live stock, implements and produce are
without question, those OF the Royal So
eiety of England. That Society usually
sets sale examples TO IOllOW
Fortunate it is for this nation that old
England, by the impetus which her Royal
Society has for many years given, has
been able to supply SO many, and such
superb specimens, of all kinds OF live
stock, to form or improve herds, focks,
studs etc., of the Uuited States
There is weak point in all breeding that
our breeders must carefully guard against
which is too often neglected; this is that
a second quality calf is more often raised
than killed. Such deteriorates any breed
or herd. 1t should be a principle to
raise only the best calves. Does not the
same hold true in all breeding, whether
by horses, cattle, sheep, swine, etc?
l remember large auction OF pure
blood cattle that I once attended in New
York, where it was pitiable to see the
poor quality of too many of the COWS,
bulls and heifers which were offered for
sale. The fault was that either they had
been bred as pets, and usefulness mad been
far from first consideration, or else the
owners influence and attention was
directed too far from his barns.
The names of distinguished foreign
breeders of the several breeds of pure
bred. imported cattle that are found in
our premium lists will go down to pos
terity as blessed, and are SO recognized in
their home country
1t is such that we of New England aim
to encourage here, and elevate by honors
that shall have no empty ring, but which
honor shall be as solid and sound as we
would have the credit of this Nation, that
is so dear to every true American citizen.
| have said that at no time could the
influence of our Society be of greater
value than today; but as you view the
fine specimens of live stock, and farm
product, at Park and Hail. you must
! view them as sample specimens to sbe fol-
lowed in barn and field. The average
% tooIY nd ne
; peoially the former, as found in barn,
stable, pen, yard or field, is much below
/, the highest standard Of our specimens
, I believe six quarts average per day per
COW, l IA tons of hay per acre, and SO on
are fair estimates. Stop some time in
the city streets, visit variety OF sales
stables, view the heavy animals used in
our fire departments for quick service,
notice the animals used on our farms,
and do this when in thoughtful mood,
and feel that you will agree with me
, that the best horses that the markets
afford average in quality and adaptability
far below the ideal standard, Which can
be approached by the application of the
proper remedies.
! | feel sure that the same reasoning ap-
, piled to our swine, but, as to sheep, am
not so we'll posted as to the fleece, but
! am sure from experience that Judlcious
breedingeand feeding havefmade thess1nut-
ton of England famous, and deseryedly So.
The average quality of dairy products
needs elevation. This can be best attained
when such q method of selling milk at
prices which shall represent its quality
, Shall have been invented, method that
can be practised satisfactorily to producer
and consumer.
NV experience when viewing butter
that had to be carefully inspected and
scored, has been that a little more knowl-
. edge and care in making butter would
bring considerably more money per pound
{ TO many of our farmers, although the
best is of high quality now.
We readily see the great value of our
!, agricultural experiment stations to the
l advancement of our agriculture.
Our live stock and out crops are beset