Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-01-22
OUR AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.

It Is understood that bill is to b'
brought before the present legislature
the design of which Is to "brOaden th'
work of the board Of agriculture by es
tablishing dairy bureau" in connection
with that department.
This new movement, 1t is said, origi'
mated with the present Maine Dairy
mems Association ut It's meeting lately
held in Augusta, and was further en-
dorsed by the State Grange ut its late
annual session at Lewiston. Particular
provisions of the proposed bill are the
creation of the office of dairy commits
sioner to serve for three years at salary
of 81, 800 per annum, and an appropria-
ton of 5000 per year TO be used for the
purposes of the proposed bureau.
We cannot see good reason for the
creation of new dairy bureau as Is pro-
posed, nor are we in favor of establish
ing new state officer with salary OF
81 800 attached, in connection with any
existing department Of the state admin
istration, whatsoever.
The agriculture interests OF the state
are now well conserved through their
legitimate channel-the board OF agri-
culture. This body made up Of repre-
sentatives from every county in the
state and officered by competent men,
has been for half century and Is now
doing splendid service for Maine agri-
culture. It devotes its work to all
oranches-to general farming, stock
growing, fruit culture, the poultry in
dustry and dairy interests-all these
subjects receiving attention at its farm
ers' institutes held throughout the state.
As to the dairy industry-it has been
given special attention during the past
ten years by the board of agriculture.
State dairy conferences have been held
each year, at which eminent expert
teachers of the dairy economy have been
secured as lecturers; at many local
farmers Institutes the dairy has been
made the leading subject, while more
space has been devoted TO the dairy In
dustry In the annual reports Of the board
and in its bulletins than to any other
one subject. Moreover, the board
of agriculture and the state experiment
station of the University Of Maine with
its scientific and trained practical work.
ers in all branches of the dairy economy,
have worked in the most complete har-
mony in everything pertaining to the
dairy interests Of the state. II any e3-
pert scientific work Is needed in behalf
of our dairy industry, it can readily be
obtained at our state university college
of agriculture, and such service can al
ways be obtained by the secretary Of the
state board otsgriculture for dairy con-
ferences, dairy schools, or farmers in
stitutes.
There is already appropriated bv the
legislature, annually, about S4, 800 for
the interests Of Maine agriculture, as
represented by the state board and the
various state and local societies. In ad-
dition to this there was appropriated by
the last legislature the sum of s., ,6S5 for
a deficiency in the work Of the cattle
commission, making total Of more than
S2S, 900. We think this sum Is ample,
and believe there are few state interests
which are so literally provided for as are
those in which the farmers Of the state
are especially interested.
It is for these reasons-because we
think the state is slresdy paying suffi-
cient amount for the promotion OF the
agricultural interests; because our pres
ent officers Of the state board Of agri-
culture are competent to give full ex-
preston to the demands Of the dairy In
dustry, and because we are opposed to
the creation of any new state officers
with salaries of 81 800, for doing work
already we'll done by present officials in
the service of the state-that the Com
mercial is opposed to the proposed bill
Bangor Commercial.