Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-11
STATE HOUSE.
Farmers Institutes at Freeport,
China and Albion, This Week.
Maine DID, Home Week Association
Meeting at Portland, Wednesday.
Washington First to Ask Aid for Roads
for 1902.

/ with the successful Inauguration OF
farmers Institutes, which began last
week at Turner Center. He says that
the greatest interest was manifested at
all the meetings and he feels much en-
cOuraged at the outlook.
The working farmers of Maine.
said Commissioner Gilman, yesterday,
ARE seeking knowledge along the lines
of Improvement and advancement in
I, the raising of products and in the care
and propagation Of stock. Everything
that tends toward a better understand
ing and more complete knowledge of
the business in which they are engaged
is eagerly grasped by them. / was in
1erested in noting that at the meetings,
last week. old men with white hair and
Bonded forms We're just as anxious to
ask questions of the speakers as were
the young men of % or so who had just
started in as farmers on their own ac-
counts. When men begin to ask ques-
tons on subjects which they do not
thoroughly understand you may be
certain that they are in a receptive con-
ditiOn and are seeking information and
knowledge. They are ready to be edu-
SdtOu ot'h5 lilC lines lUdt VIII ODSIdtc
to the advantage of themselves and
their families.
The discussions of the best methods
of raising crops are matters of special
import to our farmers; and for that
reason the institutes are held so as to
disseminate. every new idea that adj
vanced specialists may devise for the
betterment of the farmers life.
"On Tuesday of this week we will
have an institute at Freeport; on
Wednesday in China, and on Thursday
in Albion. AT all of these meetings adj
dresses will he made by speakers well
versed in the subjects which they will
discuss. John w. Clark of North Had
ley, Mass. will speak on orcharding for
the hill farms Of New England. Dana
about hay and corn products, silo and
ensiIage. PORT. J. L. Hills. director of
the Vermont agricultural experiment
station. will discuss dairying and will
pay particular attention to the varia-
ton in the Babcock test. These meet
ings. l haven't the least doubt. will be
as successful as were those Of last
week.
Mr.. Gilman's attention was drawn to
the facts published in these columns on
Saturday to the effect that the county
fairs last year did not pay expenses by
@ little more than $4,000, and he said:
1.-The county agricultural fairs which
the State aids, are not conducted SOLE
ly as money-making enterprises. They
are for the purpose of educating the
farmer along the proper lines. The
county fair gives them opportunity to
meet together. compare stock and
products and learn by the advance
ment of their neighbors how best to
promote their own prosperity on the
farm. 'oi
"Of course agricultural societies like
to take in sufficient money to pay their
fair expenses and add to their facilities
for furnishing profitable and beneficial
entertainment for the people who are
their patrons. The real profit inures
to the people and does not show in the
credit or debit side of the society's
ledger
Hon. S. w. Matthews, secretary of
the Maine Old Home Week Association.
will go to Portland on Wednesday to
attend the annual meeting which will
be held at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at
the City building. Governor Hill will
not be able to attend, as he will be out
of the State on business. Hon. Ora
mandal Smith and Maj. c. ]. House will
probably attend, as will several other
gentlemen from this section of the
State. The Maine Central and other
railroads offer half fare tickets on their
lines.
The officers of the Second regiment,
n. G. S. NJ. will meet in Bangor, today,
at $50 o'clock, for their annual schoo,
Of instruction. which will be conducted
under the direction of Col. e. E. New
comb of Eastport. The sessions will