Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-13
GOOD PROSPECTS
For Maine Agriculture and
Cattle Raising for 1896.
Dairying Growing in Prominence
Stock Fertilizers in Favor.
Secretary McKeen Talks on Outlook Crop
Bulletins 10 Begin in April.

'otatc Iousei anu III rtIiy W sulicltous
| inquiry as to the general state of the
courage among the farmers, MIR. McKeen
| said:
1.-The farmers are feeling very courage
Gus. In fact they are entering upon the
season of 1896 with more zeal and energy
than ever before.
The drouth Of the past season has if
anything acted as stimulus to them. to
enter in with vengeance this season,
and, If possible, make up for lost time, as
it were, and ba ready to meet favorable
weather more than half way"
| In answer to the recuperative prospects
of Aroostook county farmers, Mr.. Mckeen
replied:
The Aroostook farmers, besides bend
ing their energies to diversified products,
will give special attention TO the raising
of live stock
For Aroostook county is wonderfully
adapted to raising cattle with its extern
sive lands. Its future can be grandly
broadened by cultivating the stock. And,
not until its ridges and valleys have be-
| come the grazing lands Of these animals,
| can Aroostook expect to reach her zenith,
and attain the prosperity which is avail
able in its natural advantages.
1T is well adapted to raising all kinds
of cattle, and sheep, and for the growing
of horses it has no peer.
''In fact Maine can be- generally con-
graduated for the bright future which
confronts it for all kinds OF live stock
How about the goat
1.-The goat has no license in Maine
The people won't have him. He has been
ordered to pass on to the left. All the
Others may enter to the right, and be wei
come -
What are the prospects for the general
culture Of the soil in the State" WAS
asked.
There will undoubtedly be more in
tensiye culture. That is, what soil is
cultivated at all Will be given better and
CT user attention. l thoroughly believe
in a shorter rotation of crops. For in
stance, it has been customary to have the
grounds plowed over once in six years
during which the corn and potatoes, the
heed crops, are in, the first year; grains,
ETC.. and then grasses during the re-
Hainder of the period. This should be
done once in five years, at the outside
except in some special cases where the
ground is very stony.
"Another thing. There is great
movement among the farmers towards
farm fertilizers, with less dependence
upon phospbates. Cotton seed meal is
being generally recognized as the best
feed for that purpose, costing only about
s22 ton, and giving highly heterogeneous
manure.
"There will be generally moro varied
crops, with more stock folders, and less
western grain. The Maine farmer has
heretofore depended too much upon the
western grain, and is now realizing the
benefits of raising his own.
Then, there is fast growing tendency
towards economy Of labor, BY the intro
duction of modern machinery which pro-
duces better results, and consequently
less cost.
"Dairying is the leading farm industry
of this State, and is constantly growing,
More cows are being raised, for this pur-
| nose, and less fodder is being fed to
animals which return 10 income. Then,
| too, the Babcock tester and scales enable
every dairyman to ascertain the produc-
tive capacity of his animals, and thereby
| watch them and determine those which
are doing the best work, to the exclusion
of the laggards. They can treat the
animals in many ways more scientifically
with the help Of this innovation.
"Maine is the only State which has q
distinctive herdbook of her own. The
! Maine herd book of Jerseys is especially
valuable, of which n. r. Pike is secre-
tary. The herd book enables the farmers
in this State to purchase with better
understanding, and introduces the Maine
cattle outside of the State.
1.-The silo is growing in favor every
where, and as winter dairying increases,
the demand for ensilage becomes more
imperative. rs 1t is unquestionable that
the cattle will give the best results when
fed on what is as near as possible to the
food they are accustomed to in the sum
mer. In every way, the summer condi
tiops. as we'll as summer food should be
obtained in winter, as far as possible.
"Maine creameries are certainly grow
ing in popular favor, with great rapidity
being a great boon to the farmers, anf
the source of many thousands of dollars
income to the State directly and in
directly, in the increase of valuation G
the property. Separators are Increasing
in favor They have passed the expert
mental stage, and are generally recog
| n}zad