Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-01-23
AMONG THE FARMERS.


"srHsp run rLow.~
Correspendcace on practical agricultural sopir
tended for this department TO HKxnv ID. Han
PAris. Ne.
FARMERS INSTITUTES IN ANCRO
SCo0GIN COUNTY.
The series Of institutes for this county
was held last week, beginning at Wales
Tuesday, Jan. 2. In the morning, Sec
retsry Mckeen gave his talk on "Faru
Fertility" which brought out msn,
questions. Especial interest appeared
around the question Of plowing In fAru
manures. This seemed to be new
practice smong the farmers present, and
the few who have tried IL report very
favorable results. The matter Of fsl
and sprirg piowing was discussed, and
II appeared that the consensus of opinion
favored the former. Crimson clover ss
= fertilizer was spoken Of, aud some sp
pesred 10 favor its use; when IL was
learned thst IL had been grown and ripen.
ed the present year In the state. At the
close of the talk the matter Of increas-
ing the productive capacity OF the sol
Was divided into four diyisions: First,
Improving It's physical condition by till.
age; second, sdding 70 the organic mat
ter by frequent blowing aud by liberal
use OF barn dressing; third, by feeding
nitrogenous concentrates 10 farm ami.
mails and carefully outstanding and ap-
plying the resultant manures; and,
fourth, BY the use Of The fertilizers OF
commerce.
In the afternoon, Prof. Gowell not De-
Ing present, Secretary Mekeen gave 4
talk on "Dairying," principally along
lines of crop production for the COW by
shorter system Of rotation, and by the
use OF clover and the mixed grains %
helg along the protein side OF the feeds.
The corn plant and the silo were dwell
upon 10 considerable extent, the speaker
claiming that while grass was and would
always remain the basis Of agriculture
In New England, still In order to meet
the conditions forced upon US to ensure
that larger amount Of stock fodder so
necessary for best results, corn, both
from the fact that with IL we can raise
the largest amount Of food nutrients per
acre, and from the fact that Ii affords the
best possible means for obtaining succu-
lenee, we cannot afford 10 overlook IL,
particularly In our dairy work. The
different varieties Of corn will grow ou
different kinds OF soil, so that even on
the close soils OF our river valleys II may
be grown 10 good advantage. Replying
to a question BY Mr.. Z. (. Addition, the
speaker advised the growing Of sweet
corn by those farmers Who have q good
natural corn-produeing soil, and are
situated within convenient distance OF n
factory, be said he had no doubt but
that under those conditions more value
could be obtained from the land, and
when the money obtained from the sale
Of the ears Was put into nitrogenous
IL was probable that the
stock-csrrying capacity OF the farm
would be increased by the practice. The
OF the producing animal was
and the fsct that the animal
stood between the feeder and It's product
WAS brought out with much force ;
breeding, selection and careful handling
lay al tic AOuuuattou VI suSScsskut uAu
ing.
Replying to questions from N. y.
A. {. Frost, Mr.. Dickson,
Mr.. Donnell and f. L. Addition, IL Was
stated that regularity In feeding Was Of
more importance than any particular
order, that Ii was probable that two
feeds q DAY would bring better results
than three, provided the same amount
was fed, as more time would be given
for chewing the cud; that after 4 morn
ing or night feeding was begun there
should be no stopping until IL WAS CON-
pleted; that animals should have fire.
Quent access 20 water, not too cold, that
II il ran Is degrees Ii would pay TO warm
IL, and that cleanliness both In the AMI
NAL and the product Is necessary 10 order
10 secure best results.
Ia the evening, Prof. Munson gave q
lecture on "Orchsrding," dwelling par
upon the necessity OF clean
culture, good fertilization and careful
and systematic spraying to secure good
crops, saying that In no case should any
one try 10 grow two crops upon the same
land and II one expects 10 grow fruit at
. profit he must devote his land entirely
TO its use. The necessity Of destroying
all early windfslls TO prevent the spread
OF the Trypets vas emphasized, and hogs
or sheep were commended for this pur-
pose. The speaker believed there was
ample room for the extension of the
business OF fruit growing and urged his
hearers 20 carefully study all the coudi-
tious necessary 10 ensure success, and 1T
the same time TO extend their work AS
fully as possible.
Wednesday evening was spent ut East
Auburn, whs re Secretary Mckeen briefly
spoke upon 'Soil Improvement" and
Prof. Munson spoke on "Besutifying
Home Grounds" The meeting WAS en-
livened by good singing by the Grange
choir, consisting OF Messrs. Daniel and
w. b. Kicker, Mrs. p. b. Garland and
4. G. Jordan, Mrs. =. +. Vickery, organ
i.t. Mrs. Garland also sang solo, and
Prof. Morse and Mrs. Minnie 5. Cove
gave select readings which were highly
enjoyed.
Thursday WAS spent at East Liver
more where SECRETARY Nckcen gave his
talk on "Fsrm Fertility" in the morning.
Prof. Gowell spoke In the afternoon, on
claiming that success 70 the
Maine farmer Was 10 come through the
plow aud the COW, that the man Was the
basis OF successful work along any line,
and ths; next comes the producing AMI
NAL as the factor that Is most essential.
Cheap food ia necessary, IL comes from
careful cultivation and from greater
variety. The speaker urged all his
hearers TO more courage in their work,
saving that in the future we must do
more and better work, have more faith
ia ourselves and our land. The meeting
was very enthusiastic during the entire
day and evening, many questions being
asked. The me ting was enlivened by
music oy a Grange choir, consisting
Carroll wymSn, A. ID. Cole, Mr.. and
Mrs. c. W. Brown. Mr.. and Mrs. II.
Aver, Mrs. Ellen Folsom and Hattie X.
Biliington, A. p. Wing, orgsnist, In the
and by Quartet from Wster-
VILE, consisting Of Mrs. W. A. Stineh-
field, Mrs. c. lH. Barker Mr.. George
and Mr.. A. p. Wing In the
afternoon. Prof. Muuson gave his talk
on "Orchardipg" in the evening, and
upon beipg questioned spoke st some
length OF small fruit culture, particular
ly straw berry growing, which interested
many In the audience
Fridays meeting at East Hebron was
the same As the day before,
much interest centering In the dairy