Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-20
sEc'y mckeen's REPORT.
Exclusively Treats Of tuberculosis and OF.
!ers Valuable Suggestions on Other Matters.


'ers Valuable Suggestions on Other Matters.
Mr.. President and Members of the
Board of Agriculture:
The work of the board of agriculture
has progressed along about the same
lines the year just past. as formerly and
We nave to note no very marked changes
in any direction. There are certain
problems which seem to confront the
farmers of Maine. with more force than
ever before. Principal among these,
may be named the necessity for more
economical production. The prices of all
farm products remain low, and he who
studies the cost of production the most
carefully and keeps this very important
factor where it should be, will succeed,
while those who fail to take note of it
will most assuredly be driven To the
wall.
There is no question but that the farm
ers of Maine are still buying too much
from outside their farms. They are
looking too far for feeds and for fertili
sers
The true clements of success upon
Maine farms today. are self-supportine
crops. ana carefully husbanded fertility.
The advent OF special money crops was a
step in advance. we all admit, but when
the entire resources of the farm are
turned towards such production. and the
owner is forced into the market to pur-
chase his supplies for the home He is
making a mistake that must in time
bic producer.
Everything may go well as long as the
markets are good. when they are hard
and prices low the crisis comes. and he
falls.
As We progress along lines of true
prosperity We must necessarily depend
less and less upon outside resources for
our supplies. must produce more. while
still holding the markets for our special
crop.
The crops of our State for 1884, with the
exception of apples and potatoes. Were
good The stock feeder. generally, had
ut the beginning of the feeding season an
abundance of folders and could feel con-
tidcnt Of fair amount of success in his
business. Those who We're depending up
on the selling of crops We're sure Of fair
prices for their goods. With the partial
failure OF our potato and fruit crops
there has come to us lessons which, it
needed. Will be of value in the future.
The potato blight must be controlled. and
he who takes note Of this fact and
sprays for it as pcrsstcntly and system
atically as he does for the bugs will be
rewarded with good crops. The apple
crop OF 1896 WAS 80 lur2" that many did
not get fair pay for their labor in har-
VeStine. and consequently many bushels
of apples were len upon the ground to
become breeding places for insects and
fungus diseases. With thu exhaustion
of the tree by its excessive bearing of
last year came 4 Favorable condition for
the attacks of disease ami the inability
to bear fruit. The result WAS a small
crop Of very poor apples.
1t would appear that there ought to To-"
some plan devised to ruudliZe the bearing
and thus preserve the vitality of the tree.
ana wc are inclined "a the belief that
thinning early in the season as advocated
by Mr. Pope together with liberal fertili-
cation. will in great measure prevent q
recurrence of this very unpleasant condi-
ton.
NEW AVENUES or TRADE.
We have, noted with much interest th.