Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-07-25
AGRICULTURE,
The Annual Report Of Com
missioner Gilman.
Results Of the Work for 1906
are Found Encouraging.
Report Full Of Interesting Matter
for the Farmer,


riculttlrc has been submitted to the
| Governor and Council 1t says III part:
In reviewing the work of this de-
partment FOR the past year, we feel
| that encouraging results nave Deen
| obtained. our State is showing con-
| tinued progress in agricultural lines,
and it is becoming prc-cnlln"ntly an
horticultural state. Its agricultural re-
sources and possibilities are every year
more fully realized. Our efforts to IN
tcrcst the farmers in acquiring the
knowledge which is essential to the
highest success in their calling, have
| been attended with great deal OF
success. The farmers institutes have
been largely attended, and an lncrcaS-
| ing interest manifested in the reports
and bulletins published by the depart
| nlent, and in all the methods by which
we have en1cavored to disseminate IN
formation along advanced agricultural
lines. The courses in agriculture at
| the University Of Maine have been
more fully attended than ever before,
| and the extension work of the unlVcr-
sity, aided by this department and the
| grange, has been productive Of much
| good.
| I'VE believe that the quality of the
| animals kept upon our farms rs u RUE
is continually improving. While we re-
| greet to learn from the report OF the
| board of State assessors Tor 1896 that
| in several classes the numbers have
decreased somewhat, yet it is our
| opinion that the increase in Individual
value is such that the total value of
| our farm stock has been increased.
| This increase in value is especially
noticeable in The case OF our dairy
| cows, and we are glad to know That
| the ,lairymen are realizing more fully
| than formerly the necessity of M
| proving the quality OF their COWS, IN
order to obtain the best success in
| their business.
| 1--WE regret to find that the number
| Of sheep in Maine has further de
| creased. We still feel that this in
| dustry offers many inducements to our
| farmers. The product Of the sheep,
| both in wool and lambs. is bringing
Ian increased price from year to year
| There is no branch of stock huSbandry
| that the farmer AN engage in that IS
50 sure of yielding u large profit as
| this industry.
1.-THE high price of poultry products
| tho past year has given an cncouraS-
| ing ASPECT 10 the poultry industry, and
| this is receiving increased attention.
| Nary of our farmers are realizing that
q small flock of hens intclligcntly fed
ana cared for Will add an apprcciablc
amount 10 the yearly income, and in
| il. ri,,l
on quite extensively, with good sue
| cess.
The dairy interests IF the state
have received much attention during
| the past year. and VIC are pleased to
not" 4 marked progress in this line
| The quality Of our dairy products and
| the methods employed in their produce
tinn have steadily improved. Through
| the efforts Of our State dairy instruc-
| tor much has been accomplished for
| the benefit of 10th producer and GUS
| TONER. The milk supply of the prin-
| cipal cities and larger towns has been
| thoroughly investigated, and the illc
sal sale Of imitation dairy products
| carefully looked after. Tho inspection
| Of Croamerics, and of dairics. as far as
| practicable, has been continued. Much
| has been done in the line Of promoting
| n spirit Of cooperation between the
creamery operator and the patrons.
| "Ihc work Of disseminating Informal
| ti"n in relation to and SunprcSsnG
dangerous insect pests, has been
faithfully carried on. All nurseries
and many orchards have been inspect
ed and much work done among the
no, Id.
ucational campaign against the brown
tail moth has been kept up. Cities and
towns. as we'll as Individuals, in the
infested district. as Il rule have mani
Tested much interest. and many of
th"m hay" done excellent work in the
destruction of this pest. a very large
number of winter nests have been de-
Stroycd, Thus preventing immcaSrrc-
allc ravaEcS among our fruit and
Shad" trees. While we cannot cNpcct
to completely cxtcrminatc this insect
or entirely check its spread, until some
parasite is found to aid in its con-
trol, if every city, town AMI Individual
Owner of infested trees will use their
best efforts to keep their property free
from the pest, its devastations will be
Si''tliS rtuHtcu- y Continued warfare
must be kept up.
"A good deal Of interest has been
manifested in the farmers institute
work during the past year, ana the
character of the instruction at these
meetings has been Of the highest 1t
is important that the farmer should
know what has been done and what
is being done by others cnEaS cd in the
same occupation. and the farmers in
taininG information in these lines
They awaken the farmers to sense
If tI,oir opportunities and show them
how to take advantage of them.