The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-03-17
THlNGC DOING.
Current kvepts of General Interest
In Agriculture.


In Agriculture.
One outcome OF the cotton situation
In this country has been for some time
apparent to anybody with an eye for
future events England has been max
ing strenuous efforts to extend cotton
culture in Egypt, and it is authentical-
ly reported that those efforts are meet
ing with success. The government of
Jamaica is said to be entering upon ex-
tensIYe experiments In cotton produc-
ton with view to pushing the indus
try. Germany and France are also
making their ventures In various parts
of their foreign possessions, and 1t Is
beginning to be realized that there are
fresh areas where 1t Is probable the
cotton plant can be protitably cult
waited.
Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and
Japan are now talked of as nations all
of which possess cotton territory in
their foreign colonies of Africa and the
East Indies and Formosa. Russia al
ready grows cotton, but thus far uses
it all.
The secretary of agriculture, the
chief OF the bureau Of statistics and
one of the largest manufacturers OF
print cloths In this country are all
credited with opinions which are sub
stantially TO the effect that the short
age In the supply of cotton has not
been sufficient to account for the abb
normally high prices and that the re-
suit of these may be the establishment
OF new cotton fields In other countries.
Cotton traders who maintain that the
high prices are justifable do so on &C
count of the smallness of the crop.
This Is attributed in general to the cot
ton boil weeyil. The loss in Texas
cotton through this insect 10 placed by
latest estimates at 100000 bales. De
terioration In the cotton seed Is an
other factor claimed In the short crop,
and some of the agricultural authori-
ties are inclined TO see truth In this
claim, believing that the low price OF
cotton had made many planters indif-
ferent in the selection of seed, the best
of which went to the oil makers.
Al Real Farmers Trust.
Buying and selling and dealing In
all kinds OF farm and dairy products,
cattle, sheep, swine. poultry, dry goods
boots and shoes, groceries, hardware,
farm machinery, lumber, stone, brick
and all kinds of building material
grain and real estate and dealing in
all kinds of merchandise and in buying
and selling all kinds of property on
commission and otherwise" Such is
stated to be the object Of a company
of 500 Iowa farmers. 1t Is claimed
that at an expense of less than $4,000
for salaries and other items on CAPT
tai of $50, 900 and indebtedness not ex
ceedlng 5000 they carried on last year
a business of 100000.
How Glucose Is Made From Corn.
One of the novel things In the food
section of the Agricultural building at
the St Louis worlds fair will be the
demonstration of the process of making
glucose from corn. Glucose is now un
derstood to be a neutral sweet devoid
of flavor. with no harmful properties
and of value as food. With the addi
tue maple "twang" or mixed with ii pro
portion of the genuine maple. it makes
table strip thicker or heavier than ma
pie, but lighter in color, unless colored
with sugar house molasses.
A Farmers' Exchange.
A project which originated in farm
ers cooperative meeting held in Chi
y. Hoo. l,., f.K- ifas hi loot
the consolidation Of the various coop
erative movements of American farm
ers and the establishment of a farm
ers' exchange. A meeting at Omaha is
expected to bring further development
of the plan.
Big Butter show Planned.
At the recent Wisconsin Association
of Buttermakers, Secretary Fulmer ad
vocated the holding of state scoring
contest once month. He also said the
association could aid the dairy and
food commissions and become a power
I'm legislation. 1t was resolved that as
important an exhibit as possible should
be made at St Louis, and the work OF
the dairy school of Wisconsin univer
sity was commended. 1t is claimed
that the supply men sold about $3O,0N
worth of machinery.
Ohio's Fine Poultry show.
Exhibits by two batteries, over
hundred dogs and fifty beautiful water
fowl were interesting features of ONT
Of the finest poultry shows on the rec
ord of the Ohio State Poultry associa
ton, recently held. TIE entries OF
fowls numbered about 1000 and com
prised many varieties and breeds.
number of bantams were shown, in
Guiding black rose combs, silver duck
ling games and many others.
Corn Competition.
Both Illinois and Missouri have
worked systematically and vigorousl,
for success In the worlds fair corn ex
nibit at St Louis. The exhibits of eact
of these states will be the result OF
state competitions held with a view t.
securing the finest corn grown in thu
state for display in the universal ex
position. The Illinois commission
makes its awards under the auspices
of the state farmers institute.
]. T. MARSHALL.