Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-11-21
FARMERS INSTITUTE.
Interesting Meeting at North Ellsworth
Last Saturday.

Last Saturday.
An interesting farmers institute was
held at Agricultural hall, North Els
worth, last Saturday. The weather was
the best, there was good attendance OF
farmers not only from the immediate
vicinity, but from neig hboripg town.
Secretary b. W. McKeen, OF the state
board of agriculture, was unable to be
present owing to a previous engagement
in Aroostook county. Aid. H. F. Mad
docks, of North Ellsworth. who was the
prime mover in having the institute held
here, acted as chairman OF the institute.
There were meetings In the afternoon and
evening.
In the afternoon Prof. g. NJ. Goweli,
of the University Maine, spoke on "Drain-
age and Tiilage". He said the impression
had gone abroad that the soil OF Maine
was unprod uctive, but chemical analysis
had proved that the soil OF Maine
contained enough OF the necessary plai
foods to produce good crops for many
years. The reason why better croIs
were not produced Was that the soil was
not property titled. The modern methods
OF filling were explained and illustrated.
Speaking OF drainage, Prof. Gowell
said that many lands required good
drainage, to be Of any value whatever
All superfiuous water should be drained
of, and this process OF draining helped
to accomplish one OF the first objects OF
tilling, that Of allowing air to circulate
through the ground, As air followed
water when it was drained of.
In regard to fruit growing, Prof. Gowell
expressed his belief that orchards should
not be sown to grass, as was commonly
done, but the trees should be given the
entire benefit OF the plant foods which
were often taken up by the grass.
At the evening session, Ernest w.
Wooster, the "straw berry king" Of Han
cock Point, as he has been called, spoke
in which farmers OF this section are par
ticulsrly interested at this time, as many
OF them, as has already been reported In
THE AMERICAN, contemplate going into
straw berry culture quite extensively next
year. Mr.. Wooster's practical talk WAS of
interest and value to them.
MIR. Wooster explained the selection
and cultivation OF ground. For best re-
suits he said the soil should be sown to
some other hoed crop for two years pre-
yicus to the cultivation OF straw berries.
Poiatoes were preferable, but the potato
feeds as the straw berry does largely on
potash, and this must therefore be sup
piled by artificial method MIR. Wooster
explained the various met hods OF setting
out the plants, tie hest ways of protecting
them In winter and the health OF plants,
also tue varieties of berries. The mos,
essential feature OF marketing, he said.
was TO raise berries which were good to
the eye, this was far ahead of taste a. a
feature of selling.
Il. II. Lihbey, OF Newport, one OF the
most successful fruit growers in Maine,
spoke Rs specialist OH that department
Of agriculture. He was believer In
specislism in farming, as In other pro-
fessions and business pnt.uits. He be-
iieved that by mixing farming, farmers
time and knowledge were so di-sipsted
among the various branches OF farming
he undertook, that he gained very little
knowledge OF any particular branch, and
so made success of none.
In his fruit growing he included straw
berries, currants, gooseberries, raspber-
ries, pears, piums and apples. He spoke
of each, but told particularly OF his
orchards. he believed i'm clean cultiya-
tim; he had not ing growing beneath his
trees, and the trees got full benefit OF
all plant foods lie also believed in
sprs, ing trees, and told OF his etbods.
Prof. Gnwell WAS again called upon for
few remarks. He urged farmers not to
he led astray by the remarks of other
speakers and all take % fruit growing,
hnt Ia remer. her that there we're OF her
good branches OF farming which could be
specialized with equsi profit.