Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-11-28

WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Successful and Interesting Farmers Conver
tion at Cheryfe d.

Secretary Mckeen of the State board OF
agriculture, is meeting with most crafty
ing success in the holding of his farmers
Institutes, and the large attendance upon
them is the best possible pruof of the very
general interest they are awakening. The
institute at Cherryfield, Saturday, was
largely attended, in spite Of the unfavor-
able weather. 1t was held in the Grange
hall.
L. q. Smith, member of the State board
OF agriculture for Washington county,
called the meeting to order, and after Il
lew opening remarks, introduced as lect-
urer for the forenoon, Hon B. Walker
Mckeen, secretary of the State board OF
agriculture, who delivered very enter
tanning and instructive lecture ON dairy
work. Some of the most noticeable feat
ures of his remarks were the points to be
considered in the selection Of stock and
the treatment of the same in order to OBJ
tain the best possible results All present
were much benefited by listening TO one
SO thoroughly conversant with the subject
which he treated
At noon a bounteous farmers dinner
was served in the hall.
j. W. Dudley of Castle Hill. member of
the board of agriculture for Aroostook
county, was the first speaker, taking for
his subject, Fruit Growing in Maine. !"
He said that first a thorough knowledge
of the elements OF different kinds of soil
is most important factor in the selection
OF trees. Having ascertained by careful
analysis the variety adapted to II certain
soil he proceeded to describe the manner
of setting out tredS making mention of
many of the requisites heretofore omitted,
being considered of minor Importance, but
absolutely Indispensable to the successful
fruit grower. The best times for pruning
as we'll as how to graft were fully ex-
planned. Next he gave some very i'm
portant facts concerning the best methods
to adopt tn exterminate all enemies to the
tree as well as to the fruit. In conclusion
his remarks on picking, storing in the Gel
lar, also few points on packing and de
livering fruit, were indeed lessons of great
worth to the farmer. During his lecture
he exhibited some fine specimens of apples
grown in different parts of Maine. His
lecture was highly appreciated.
Wills "A. Luce OF south Union, q
former member of the board of agricult-
ure for Knox county, was then intro
duued, who treated in an able manner the
subject of plum growing as well as the
cultivation of the different berries. He
described the different varieties, dwell
ing on those best adapted to our OVID
climate and soil. He also gave some use
full information on the subject of spray
ing plants the most suitable time to do
it, together with many antidotes for the
cure of such diseases and the elimination
of such insects as ravage our gardens and
orchards. His talk was very much en-
joycd by all who heard him.
In the evening, Secretary McKeen de
livered an address in Union hall on a sub
iect that should interest every citizen of
the Pine Tree State, "Young Man, Don't
Go West The lecture was much en-
joyed, but the evening was very unfavor-
able on account of a settled rain prevent
ing many from attending. All were
benefited by having heard the words of
such men who are so deeply interested In
the welfare Of the State, and the entire
meeting proved instructive and helpful to
our farmers