The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-17

Az the opening of the fair yesterday
morning President Appleton delivered
ehe following address:
fellow Members of the New England
| agricultural Society:
assembling, as we are, to view the Fail
VI 1887, now in full operation, aft er hay
ing been planned and effected by mucf
consideration and activity by the Man
agement, let us congratulate ourselves
ana the farming interests of New Eng
land, upon the results of another fine
snow of live stock and implement exhib
lts at Rigby Park; and produce and do
nestle display at the Auditorium, or Ar
| mory Hall.
We are honored by the presence of a
noted Troop of Cavalry of the United
States Army; and the North Atlantic
squadron, with its distinguished Com
mander and his officers, will soon float
on the waters of the beautiful Portland
harbor, both to accompany our efforts to
advance and promote agricultural interest
which we hope may extend beyond the
limits OF dear and rugged New England.
We had hoped that President Mckinley
and friends would have been able to ao-
cept the offer of special train to Port
| land from his place of summer sojourn-
ing, and share with the people of New
England, who incline to visit the Fair,
lGs attractions. Such visit has been, so
Tar, regarded as impossible. We still hope
| Tor visit from some distinguished mem
Der of his Cabinet.
Inc conditions in general, OF New Eng
land agriculture require a. different and
more scientific treatment, today at least,
to make it productive to the largest de-
gree, than does the newer land more
westerly from us; and it must be care
Ior all agriculturists to urge and advise
that the teachings of science be offered to
those who till tho soil, in such intelligent
from that the several States of New Eng
| ma and the farmers and horticulturists
| IN them, shall have the best opportunity
TO apply such advanced principles.
| such questions are the care of our ex-
pertinent stations, agricultural colleges
ana boards OF agriculture. Our agricul-
tural societies are established to be lead
ers and guides as to the needs and posi-
bllities in that direction.
| All should aim to work together for a
common good; and in that work I am
sure that none are more anxious or desi-
rous of doing all that is possible to adj
vance than this Society of ours.
| Generation after generation of men
pass away from this earth, but the con-
dition of our states and nation remains
to be constantly advanced, as a result OF
the applications of wise intelligence.
May the welfare of our people continue to
! advance, by combined efforts to secure a
proper use of sound common sense on the
part of those whom the governed place in
office, and on the part OF those whom
public officials are called upon to govern.
| AS President of the National Forestry
| Association ] cannot now refrain from
reference to that subject briefly. None
are more interested in the protection OF
| the forest cover of our country's surface,
and the preservation of our water courses
and supplies, in an average condition OF
| fullness, than are the agricultural popu
! lation; as supplying power, carriers Of
ships and barges. sources of water supply
etc., we are greatly interested therein.
The fertility of our soil is greatly en-
HANGED by the presence of a sufficient
amount of moisture therein, and in times
of excessive dryness, applied fertility
| whether in animal manure or commercial
preparations, is largely inactive unless
enough moisture is present to dissolve il
into available food for the roots and root
let's of our crops.
|
of a wise and unprejudiced administra
tion and application of advanced teach
| ing, and accurate knowledge, in all mat
tiers relating to forest management.
| May those having the decision as to Ma
tionaI and State Forestry matters ACT
wisely as to what will most benefit oul
common country. Our forests should be
| used. in such ways as shall not abuse
| them.
We must not depend upon the State
alone to aid us. 1t is said that God helps
those who help themselves, but it does
| seem that God prefers to give the least to
| helpgs,those who;do not make good use OF
| the wonderful powers that he has con.
ferred upon the human race to help them
selves.
| We have been glad to again come to
Portland for our Fair. and let US hope
that, when the time comes for the New
England Fair to locate elsewhere, the
members from this neighborhood will aid
us and guide us in deciding where next
to locate in order to do good to New Eng
land agriculture in manner next bet
ter to what can be done at Portland, and
to assist us to endeayor to improve upon
it, if possible.
We extend best wishes at all times tc
Portland's agriculture, commerce, manu-
| features and general business.