Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-17

about 50. 600 cases of two dozen cans each,
representing cash value OF considerably
Now. as already animated. there are
vast areas in our State which. while
bearing considerable number of bushes
and yielding a profitable return to the
few people who make a practice of gath
ering the wild fruit. are not utilized rs
they might be. The systematic treat
ner practced on the barrens. might with
profit be extended to many other sec.
tons.
Again. there are large areas. otherwise
worthless which might without doubt be
made to yield good returns if in some
way growth of bueberres could be
started either by setting bushes or by
scattering seed. Perhaps this slgge stion
may be regarded as visionary. but !, is
quite within the range of possibilities
Another phase of the subject. which is
worthy of careful attention, is that Of
domestication and the Improvement OF
types by selection.
Little has been attempted in the gar
den culture of the BURBERRY. That sa,
ever. there Is little doubt. The fruit IN
its wild state. is far superior to that ~
many other cultivated plants and is very
susceptible to the influence OF environ
ment. So | feel perfectly safe In predict
ing that, within a very few years. a race
of garden blueberries rivaling in value
some of the best of the other small fruits.
will be placed before the public and the
culture of the BURBERRY will be much
a matter of course as is that of the
blackberry or the raspberry.
The Cranberry: From time to time in
the past. the cranberry has been called
to the attention of the fruit growers of
the State. but this fruit does not yet re
ceive he ATT attention its importance, de,
thoroughly by Prof Harvey ut the meet
ing of this society in 1896 and the practi
cal details of culture were so well brought
out at the last meeting in Augusta Osg2),
that | shall but refer tn the trlnSac
lions of the society for hose years.
The Chestnut: In various parts of this
of no particular value for general agri-
cultural purposes. but whicbh are speci-
ally suited for the growth of the chestnut
tree. Since the common American chest
nut is perfectly hardy in Maine. there IS
every reason why the many bushels of
nuts that are used each year should be
produced at home; thus adding to the
wealth of the farmers. utilizing waste
places. and. in many cases. hiding de
formties in the landscape. Similar re.
marks will apply to the hickory nut and
to the butternut.
The Filbert; The common hazelnut
grows freely in many parts of our state
and we all remember the delights OF
childhood in romping through the nelos
in search of the brown prizes contained
within the ample huskS. Closely related
to this nut is the English tilbert, and
would call the attention of the society
to these two nuts as affordlnS. a promis
ing line of investigation.
SOCIETY'S EDUCATIONAL WORK.
Meetings for mutual interchange Of
ideas and experiences are-most effectu1i
educators. 1nis society ry conceived
the idea of employing this means of car
rying on its work. Right here may di-
gress for a moment and consider tne
bearing Of education upon the advance
ment of horticultural interests. 1t Is not
the examining OF the mind with an array
of facts which will be most beneficial: IT
h, i.ati ion Of nd
the growth of mental power: the ability
to discriminate. There is loud call for
practical instruction from all sides. But
the most practical instruction IS that
which makes an all-round man. This Il
an age of specialists, but the specialist
build. Q
There is an element of uncertainty in
all agricultural work. The skilled me
chanic may select his material, and, APP
plying the principles he has learned, can
construct a machine that shall be prac-
tically complete and in accordance with
his plans and expectations. No farmer
OF fruit grower can. however, prsuict
with certainty the outcome of mis- labors.
MATURE and Providence have much 70
do with the processes. and We can ohiN
assist the one and submit TO the other.
We can control neither. No agricultural
college can turn out farmer who can
raise exactly - bushels and 80 pounds OF
wheat per acre year after year. But TINS
does not signify that young man Is hot
better equipped for his life work because
of the training he may obtain At an dsri-
cultural college. In other words, a th"r
uugh study Of the laws Of nature a. AZ
piled to agriculture. will reduce the IN
certaintieS to a minimum. ana VIII rdi7c
the possibilities Of production TO the
maximum. The college brings to bear all
of the sciences related to the. subject
chemistry geology. botany, physiology,
entomology, etc.-dnd gives I" the Eou'l5
man who has these resources. provided
he has the additional and very eSsentili
quality Of sound common sense, distinct
advantage over the man VINO derives MS
information solely from the school OF eN
pprience In the words or one OF tnc
leaders in agricultural education: me
range of practical knowledge is 50 great
that il is unwisc to leave its requirement
To the uncertain chances of the cndncc +
farmer with chance information. Inc IN
dustry is 50 great that II is entitled to
bring to its aid all that science can D.,
stow. experiment can demonstrate ana
observation can classify. There ma;
heretofore been too little intellect ana
too much luck in the processes p asrld
too much following in the rut made by
others.
Granting the desirability of giving. Our
young men and young women a colicG'
trainig as a preparation for their calling
in life. we must still meet the fact that
the vast majority of such young peop!e;
and the older ones as well. cannot ava
themselves of such advantages. IN or
der to reach those most in need OF help,
W. must go where the people are 1t Is
he old case of Mohdmmcd ana IN"
mountain If the Board of Agriculture
would discuss farming and dalrylns. IL
must hold its institutes among farmers
or dairvmen. So If this society would AID
the fruit growers of the state, IL must
proVide educational means WITHIN reach
Of the class it seeks to benefit.
The attention of the society mas mere
tofore been called to the need Of dissem
mating horticultural influence and IN
formation through the State. During the
past year your executive committee hd9
Undertaken certain work along these
lines. Specal field meetings were held at
Greene. and. in conjunction with the
state Board of Agriculture. sat Mancnes'
fer and at Sycamore Farm. Camden
where the subjects of orchard culture
and management were discussed an"
practical demonstrations of the prepare,
ton and application of insecticides ana
fincicides We're made.
The officers have planned to extend TINS
educational work. far as the FUNDS
will permit by means of horticultural
schools in various parts of the state |
At these schools both principles and prac-
tical problems connected with the man
agement of fruit plantations will be dls'
cIssed by men thoroughly conversant
with their subjects.
A FEW RECOMMENDATIONS
One Of the serious problems in the his |
tory of any organization is that of MEM |
hership. In our own case, the great |
weakness has been in the custom Of
drawing mainly upon those who take |