Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-01-29
ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE STATE
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

1
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
In accordance with the law, the snnus
meeting Of the State Board of Agricull
ure was held at the state house we
before last, President j. NJ. Winslo'
presiding.
The members present we're: j. NJ
Winslow, Nobleboro; CYRUS Chase
Westfield; E. E. Light, Rockland; {
l.. Jones, Corinna; w. II. Snow, Milo
j. l.. Lowell, Auburn; A. N. Douglass
Chelsea: Joseph Ellis, Brooks, E. T
Allen, Columbia Fails; j. w. True, Nes
Gloucester; S. H. Garvin. Acton; j. A
Roberts, Norway; Ansel Holway, SkOw
hegsn; j. F. Buker, Bowdoin; NAHUM
Hinckley, Biuehill; DR.. A. w. Harris
Orono; Prof. Chas. d. Woods, Oron0
james Morrison, Phillips.
The first business after organization
was the report of the secretary.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.
The report of the Secretary OF th'
Board of Agriculture draws attention tt
the gratifying fact that more interest l!
taken in farming, the farms are becom
ing more self-supporting, and advanced
methods are being introduced. Of the
season just passed, he says:
1.-The crops for 1900 were, as rule
very satisfactory. Another severe
drought in the southern and western
sections of the state materially reduced
the hay crop, so much WAS this the cast
that in many instances farmers are al
present forced to buy hay in order tt
maintain their usual amount OF stocs
and keep in the market with their regular
business.
"More than the usual interest has
been shown in live stock husbandry, anc
many thoroughbred animals are being
purchased by the farmers. We have
l2S, ,666 horses in the state valued for tax
alton, S6,079, $50. While there is slight
decrease in the number from 1899, there
is an increase in value Of S2l ,OO2. There
appears to be steady decrease in the
number of colts raised each year.
"There is a slight increase in the mum
ber of cows. but their value, too, has in
creased $S,6l6.
"There is still an increase In the mum
Der of oxen, but it would appear thai
the large gain in one, two and three
wear olds would show that more steers a'
well as heifers were being raised. There
has been a slight falling of in the mum
ber of sheep and swine.
"The estimated total value OF poultry
and eggs produced in 1898. as reported
to the state assessors is 81 AIS, ,7S2.lS.
"The total value of live stock for taxa
ton is ST., ,347 ,347
"The past year has witnessed remark
able advance along the lines Of oul
dairy interests. There seems to be con
stantly increasing demand for goods
well made, dairy butter at remunerative
prices, creamery butter making is con
tinually being extended, and there ap'
pears to be no danger OF any over-pro'
duction of this class Of goods. Maine
still stands far ahead of any other state
in the reputation of her sweet cream,
and il finds its way into nearly every
New England city.
IA new departure in dairy institute
work was the holding of two dairy in,
struction meetings, one in Lincoln and
one in Somerset County. Separators
we're furnished by the various dairy sup
ply firms, milk was purchased and
brought to the meeting where the cream
was separated, ripened and churned be-
fore the audiences, experts were en-
ployed to do the work and every steI
WAS fully explained. The wisdom Of
carving this practical instruction into
the farm homes cannot be doubted"
A further amendment to the law con-
cerning oleomargariue is suggested, re-
quiring all places using it to post signs
TO that effect.
On the subject of beef growing, the
secretary said:
"The production of beef on our Maine
farms should be encouraged at the pres
ent time. A large part of the state IL
admirably adapted to this work, and the
increase of the number of thoroughbred
beef animals would materially add tc
our prosperity. We now have some
magnificent Herefords, Shorthorns ano
Red Polls. There are Il few POlled An.
gus in Aroostook County, and this breed
seems TO be well adapted to the condl
tions that prevail there"
The much discussed question OF the
island sheep industry was treated in let
ter written by Mr.. l.. B. Harris Of Lyn-
donville, VT, one of the noted importers
and breeders of Shropshires, who at the
request OF the board, visited Gardner's
Island, where many Of these sheep are
kept. and thoroughly investigated the
subject. Mr.. Harris speaks in the high
est terms Of the quality and points OF the
island sheep, and recommends the ex
tension Of the industry.
More attention to the raising OF horses
is recommended.
For wears the state Of Maine has beer
An importer of poultry and eggs. So
far has the demand over-run the supply
that il has been difficult for severa
months to obtain fresh egg upon tht
hotel tables of our state.
The development Of the newer parts
of our state is something which falls
within the province Of the board, anC
has not been neglected by them, espe
cislly 10 Aroostook County.
The institute work in this section OF
the state begun in 1899 has been contin
ued, institutes having been held ut Var
Buren, Frenchville, st. David and For
Kent. Here is large area of land lyinG
on the st. John, which Is capable OF higf
agricultural development. The country
was settled by French speaking people
who at the present time are practicine
very primitive methods of agriculture
They appear to be anxious to improve
however, and attend these meetings II
good numbers.
The institute work all over the state
has been very successful. A novelty was
introduced by securing speaker on do
mestic science for the meetings. Mrs
Sprague Taylor of Fairfield was choseI
to fiji this place, which she did mos
acceptably.
The members of the board have beeI
employed for institute work rs far al
possible, and speakers of national repu
tation have added to its interest Ant
value. The demand Is now largely fol
trained speakers, for those who ar
familiar with the subjects they treat
either from practical contact with theu
till they have thoroughly mastered then
and worked out success for themselves
or those who have given the best year
of their lives to scientific study and re
search.
Ninety institutes, one field day, sever
evening meetings, and state dairy con
ference have been held. The expense o
the wears work has been $3,6OS AZ. Thi
| is covered by the appropriation and un
expended balance of appropriation 10
1899
The work Of the agricultural societies
has been of high order, and the fair
in the main successful. The following