Daily Kennebec journal., 1895-04-16
THE FIRST BULLETIN
For the State Board Of Agriculture Issued b,
Secretary McKeen.

Secretary McKeen of the State board OF
agriculture, has issued the board bulletin
for April. This is a month earlier than
usual, owing to the inability to issue a
midwinter bulletin The replies to the
questions have been very satisfactory as
whole. Secretary McKenne says in
course of his introduction:
In nearly every instance we find an in
crease in number and value Of farm STOCK
although some of the correspondents speak
of decrease in number of oxen and steers
with an increase in value. In some Sec
tions the value of horses is set down as
considerably less than last year. "hlie
their number has increased. The greatest
increase in value is ON dairy COWS, which
is placed at from 10 to 20 per cent.
As rule the farms are growing more
self sustaining in the production OF stock
folders, although there is still much room
for improvement. Some correspondents
speak of increased efforts along this llne'
and it is one OF the most encouraging
signs of the times The estimates OF the
cost of wintering farm animals are placed
little higher than formerly because OF
more liberal feeding. Folders OF all kinds
are some cheaper than usual, which fact
together with the increase in home grown
folders, seems to more than offset the ex-
ira feed, and when the larger returns are
reckoned there seems to be very favor
able prospect for our stock feeders.
The average of fall plowed land is fully
up to the average, although, in some sec
tion, the early freezing of the land pre-
vented the usual amount from being
plowed. Indications for the carly sowing
Of increased areas Of grains are very flat
tering, aud with an average spring WE
all expect to see the expectations fully
realized. The quantity of corn planted
will be larger than for long time, and
Jherc will be a large number of silos built
These conditions will go long way to-
ward increasing the net income from our
farms.
In this connection we wish to say that
we hope a larger area of soiling crops will
be grown also, and commend the table OF
soiling crops which appears in this ISSUE
60 the careful attention of our readers
The acreage of sweet corn will be materl-
ally less than for several years, several
shops not running at all, and many reduc-
ing their pack quite largely, and at a re
duced price. Only one shop reported as
paying the usual price.
Yellow corn, grains and potatoes will
take its place, and with an average season.
we shall expect to see a large amount of the
latter placed Oh the market next fall
We wish to utter word of caution in
this connection. 1t is, that with a full
orl-n OF n
My the very best will be taken at faiI
prices; therefore we trust our potato
growers will fertilize their crops literally,
use great care in cultivating and protect.
ing them from the ravages of the beetles
and all fungous diseases. We hope they
will all carefully preserve the formulas
for insecticides and fungicides, and the
spraying calendar found in this bulletin
Reports from all sections are unanimous.
in the assertion that there is an abun-
dance of stock fodder on hand, more than
for many years at this season. Let us all
take hope for the future welfare of oui
agriculture, put our best efforts into oul
work, pledge ourselves to follow closel.
after the most advanced method of the
day, increase our productions for home
consumption, and for the markets along
lines demanded by the tastes of the day.
1t is only by such effort acting fully up to
our knowledge, that we have any right to
expect the best and with it, it will surely
come.
This bulletin will be found of especial
value to every farmer in the State who
wishes to keep up with the times. Not
the least valuable feature of it are the
formulas for spraying compounds together
with a spraying calendar, showing the
times for applications to the different
kinds of fruits.
The secretary advocates strongly soil
ing crops and appends table showing the
kind of fodder, amount Of seed per acre,
appr oximate time of seeding and approxi-
mate time of feeding