Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-10

nures were subjects that received more
attention than any other during the
earlier half of the lifetime of the board.
When we remember that in those days
there was hardly Il manure shed or
cellar in the average town, we car sp--
preciate how attractive these subjects
were: The Washing of Manure piles
by Water from the Eavcs;'' Wastes
of Liquid Manurcs Through the
Cracks in Barn Floors" THE Use Of
Muck as an Absorbent and Preventive
of Wastes. etc.
In these times the barns were cold
and the manure froze almost as hard
in the tie-ups behind and under the
cattle as il did in the yards outside.
No grain was fed except to the fatten-
ing oxen The cows gave no milk dur
ing winter. and the young stock went
out from the dark refrigerators to pas
ture. in spring. lighter than when they
we've nut in the barns in the fall. Those
were some of the conditions that our
predecessors in the work of agricul-
tural enlightenment had to deal with.
Deep blowing had been prac,iced and
.'put her down to the beam was the
watchword and the accepted key I'd
successful crop growing. Deep late Gull
tivution of the growing corn so as u
ch2ck too great a development OF stalk
and turn the energies Of the plant To
the production of grain WAS theory
looked upon with much favor. and we
ourselves have followed the heavy cast
iron toothcd cultivator many day
when the plants would sway from sdc
to side IS We tore off their roots OF
support in passing.
The cattle were of the native stock
or with an infusion of the blood of some
of the English breeds. The growing
of working oxen and sheep furnished
the chir. revenue of stock husbandry.
While it would be unreasonable to
claim credit to the board of agriculture
for a,l the advance during this period
nj time. yet the fact remains that II
has been chief factor in bringing in
to practice the enlightened systems OF
agriculture that we are now pracicinS.
The agricultural press has been pow
erful edu, Gator of our workers ana It's
influence can hardly be measured. but
the yearly reports of the board of agri-
culture have been placed in the hands
of almost every farmer and being IN
bound Volumes. they have been pre-
served and have become part OF ms
working library. The analytical sub
ject-indeX first printed in the report of
1897 and continued in those for 1888,
1899 and 1900. places the matters treat
cd in all the reports before the reader
at a glance. making a reference easy
and quick. The subject matter treated
in them has always been of a practical
nature and relative to the every day
interests of the farmer rather than ex-
hauStive and scientific essays that
might be passed over unread by those
whom they We're designed to benefit.
The first attempt to make dairyinG of
Importance was undertaken in the ear
~ seventies when speakers We're
brought from New York Ia address the
meetings. This was followed up and
some so or more cheese factories were
erected and operated during the two
o. three years following. The industry
did not prove permanent as it was
managed. for the reason that it was
not an all-the- year-round business.
and the introduction Of the Jersey cat
tie few years before had laid the
foundation for butter darying which
was now taken up because Of the iinan
cial advantages that it offered.
While all Of the sessions We're devot
cd to the best interests Of agriculture
and the members We're earnest and en-
thusiastic in the work in which they
We're engaged they frequently differed
in their views and unless one was able
To back his theories with data or per
sonal experience his position was qucs-
toned.
AT this time there were several large
herds of the beef breeds in the State
and there was Il very strong disposition
on the part of their owners To belittlc
the Channel Island cattle and ut almost
every session the arguments between
the beef growers and the dairymen did
not lack spirit and interest. while the
advocates of general purpose animals
laid low and tried to hold their ground.
The wool growing industry that for
years was a most profitable occupation
yielded to mutton and lamb growing
and the Merinos gave way to the
Downs
During this period the State gained
an enviable reputation as the breeding
ground Of the trotting horse and still
enjoys the homage paid to her by the
seekers Of animals of beauty. speed and
endurance.
The State has p.ospered wonderfully
in her agriculture. Apple orchards have
multiplied and the fine quality of our
fruit is acknowledged everywhere. The
canning Of fruits and vegetables has
become a great source of revenue to
our cultivators. We have breeding eS-
Establishments in almost every town
where pure-bred cattle. sheep. horses,
swine or poultry are bred and dssem-
mated among the farmers and our
stock for special lines of work or pro-
Guction has become of high order
The preservation of green and succu-
lent food for winter cattle feeding has
been proved practical and desirable
and silOS for storage purposes are be-
ing constructed in every neighborhood.
The fields are smoother, better drain
ed. deeper worked and better titled
than ever before. The farm buildings
are better and more convenient. the
farmer lives in better house. is better
fed. better clothed and better read
than he was so years ago. and he is far
more independent in his thinking and