Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-01-14
THE NEW COMMISSIONER OF AGRl-
CULTURE.

are 10 0e aided anu directed Dy new
hand beginning this day, Jan. 1st, 1902.
A new era has dawned and the time
honored Board of Agriculture with its
membership representing each county
has passed away. For a good many
years this Board has held it's annual
meeting and these representatives have
gathered and spent several days in inter
changing views and discussing the needs
and wants of the several sections of the
state and suggesting to their secretary
what lines in their opinion should be
pursued and what work would be most
appreciated by the farmers in the several
communities. Each member of the
board took just pride in experimenting
the suggestions and carrying out the
wishes of his constituents, but all this
has passed into history and to-day the
agricultural interests of our state are
placed in one mans hands, and fortunate
it is that that one man who has taken
such extraordinary powers is himself an
extraordinary man in more ways than
one. Having been born and reared on
farm, and being to-day at the head of a
large and most successfully conducted
Maine farm, he is specially qualified for
the arduous duties he has this day as
sumed.
Augustus w. Gilman, the present
Commissioner of Agriculture, is a son
of Ebenezer and Roxanna Gilman. He
was born in Foxcroft, Jan. 26, 1874,
and completed his education in
Foxcroft Academy. Born and bred on a
farm he early learned the rudiments of
a riculture in a most practical manner,
and after leaving school he continued
his farm work summers, teaching school
winters for a number of years. His
natural earnest, active disposition found
great delight in agricultural operations
and it was for years question with him
whether he should continue in that line
of work or adopt teaching as his life
work, being successful to very high
degree in both positions. In 1880 he
married Miss Mary Loring of Guilford
and they now have four children as the
result of the union. Mr.. Gilman, early
in life, took up good farm and has
owned one ever since. His present farm
home is situated some two miles from
the village of Foxcroft and is certainly
one of the most picturesque and delight
full situations to be found in the state.
His farm consists of 200 acres of we'll
titled soil and the buildings erected
under his personal supervision are
models of convenience and attractive
ness. He has one large barn 100 feet
long, and it is connected with the house
by long row of sheds all handsomely
painted and in apple pie order. He has
a large orchard from which he annually
realizes handsome returns. He has a
handsome herd of thoroughbred Guern-
sey cows aud is breeder of some of the
best stock to be found in Maine.
Mr.. Gilman has always taken deep
interest in the development of agricult-
ure not only in his native town and
county but in the state at large. After
serving six years as county commissioner
in 1892 he was chosen a member Of the
Board of Agriculture and for three years
he was member of the valuation COM
mittee, and since 1892 he has been in
spector of prisons and jails. But per-
haps Mr.. Gilman's best service to the
state has been given as member of the
Board of Trustees of the Maine State
Fair, a position he has filled since 1897
with great acceptance. He is an active
member of the Foxcroft Grange and
probably as influential member of the
Piscataquis Pomona as is to be found in
that up-to-date organization.
Mr.. Gilman, as will readily be recog-
nized by all who know him, is a natural
leader. He is man whom his asso-
ciates instinctively look up to for guild
ance and direction. Possessing a large
and well developed figure he has also
broad and expansive intellectually, and
it is as easy for him to grasp great
problems and decide upon them &C
curately and justly with promptness, as
it is for the average of men to give
Judgment upon minor matters at their
leisure.
This is the man that has assumed the
important office of Commissioner of
Agriculture in our state and his past
record justifies his friends in believing
that he will make a clear, creditable
record for himself and for the depart
ment as long as he shall hold this high
office. He certainly has the good wishes
of multitude of friends including the
outgoing members of the Board of Agri-
culture and their many supporters.
As Secretary McKeen has just COM
pleted series of institutes throughout
the State, Commissioner Gilman will not
take up institute work for the present
but will devote his time to perfecting
his plans for future operations. His
first endeavor will be to ascertain fully
the wishes of the farmers of the state,
and having done so, he will complete
his arrangements for the future with a
view to meeting them.
Miss Winslow, who has been the able
assistant in the Office for number of
years, will be retained for the present, at
least.-Turf, Farm and Home.
GRoW YOUR OWN CORN.