Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-31
Some Agricultural Possibilities.

One of the chief speakers at LAST
weeks celebration of it's semi -centen-
NAL by the Massachusetts, Board OF
Agriculture was Frank II. Hitchcock.
the chief of the division of foreign
markets of the national department of
agriculture. He dweIt upon the theme
of new farm products, the undeveloped
possibilities of agriculture in this great
and wonderful land of ours. He wants
cur farmers TO raise many things that
are now imported and claims that it
; can be done as well as not.
1t is not generally known that New
900 to s7,O00,0o0 of Egyptian cotton
each year. The department has been
experimenting to see if this cotton cam
not be raised in the Southern states.
After repeated breedings, Secretary
Wilson has no doubt about it. Mr.
Hitchcock says: During the past
year experimental patches We're cult
waited in five of the Southern states.
A bale of Egyptian cotton raised on one
of these patches in southern Georgia
was sent to Il Connecticut mill and was
thoroughly tested as to spinning quail
ties, the verdict being that it was quito
equal to the imported article. Those
who are familiar with the subject no
longer doubt the possibility of growing
enough Egyptian cotton on American
mills"
It will surprise many of cur readers
to learn that last year, $500 pounds of
tea were grown at Summerville, S. {.
Mr. Hitchcock says: THE experiments
in tea growing there during the past
few wears nave given surprising re-
suits, leaving no question as to t!,c
possibility of producing high grade tea
in the United States. The tea picked
last season, according to the testimony
of experts, was equal in flavor and
aroma to the imported article. 1t
found a ready sale in the markets OF
the North. and brought renumerativc
prices. The experiments made at
Summerville show that under the COR
Gitions prevailing there, tea can b.
grown ct ? profit Of from $50 to so
PER acre. The labor problem in this
enterprise has been satisfactorily
solved by the employment of colored
children, who otherwise would remain
idle. AS there are extensive regions in
the South where equally favorable con-
ditions exist, there seems to be no red-
son why the industry should not be
largely extended"
II has also been demonstrated that
the finest Sumatra tobacco can be
grown in the Connecticut valleys. Last
year experiments have been SO salts
factory that tobacco growing on a big
scale is being inaugurated and the
$2,000,000 this country has been ex-
pending each year for Sumatra wrap
pers will soon be kept at home.
Mr.. Hitchcock says: Successful ex-
periments have been made with grow
ing macaroni wheat in North and
South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska and
Texas. There is every reason to be
lieve that before many years macaroni
wheat Will be grown here in sufficient
quantities not only to supply domestic
wants, but to provide a surplus for ex-
portation. Such success has attended
the agricultural experiments in the
production of Japanese rice that the
production has increased with such
strides during the last few years as to
lead to the expectation that this coun-
try will in the near future be an en-
porter, rather than an importer, of this
cereal.
These are mere hints of what Secre-
tary Wilson's department is doing. but
they suggest great possibilities. Every
new food or fibre plant that can be
adapted to our soil adds to the re-
sources OF our agriculture and opens 4
new highway to farm prosperity.
a friendly newspaper man who ac-