Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1907-07-31
AGRICULTURAL REPORT.
state Commissioner Gilman Makes
His Annual Report.


The annual report of Hon. A. w. Gil
man. OF Foxcroft, commissioner of agri-
culture, has been submitted to the COVER
nor and council. II says in part:
.'In reviewing the work Of this depart
ment for the past year, we feel that en-
couraging results have been obtained.
Our State is showing Q continued prog
ress in agricultural lines, and it is be-
coming pre-eminently an agricultural
State. Its agricultural resources and pos
sibilities are every year more fully real
lied. Our efforts to interest the farmers in
acquiring the knowledge which is essen
tial to the highest success in their cali
ing, have been attended with great deal
OF success. The farmers institutes have
been largely attended, and an increasing
interest manifested in the reports and
bulletins published by the department,
and in all the methods by which we have
endeavored to disseminate information
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
university, aided by this department and
the grange, has been productive Of much
good.
ave believe that the quality Of the
animals kept upon our farms as rule is
continually improving. While we regret
to learn from the report OF the board OF
state assessors for 1906 that in several
classes the numbers have decreased some
what, yet it is our opinion that the in
crease in individual value is such that the
total value Of our farm stock has been in
creased. This increase in value is espec-
tally noticeable in the case of our dairy
cows, and we are glad to know that the
dairymen are realizing more fully than
formerly the necessity of improving 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 decreased.
We still fell that this industry offers
| many inducements to our farmers. The
product Of the sheep, both in wool and
lambs, is bringing an increased price
from year to year. There is no branch
OF stock husbandry that the farmer can
engage in that is SO sure OF yielding a
large profit as this industry.
s'The high price Of poultry products the
past year has given an encouraging aspect
to the poultry industry, and this is re-
| ceiving increased attention. Many of our
farmers are realizing that small flock OF
hens intelligently fed and cared for will
add an appreciable amount to the yearly
| income, and in some sections the business
\ is carried on quite extensively, with good
| success.
| 1.-THE dairy interests OF the State have
received much attention during the past
year, and we are pleased to note marked
| progress in this line. The quality of our
dairy products and the methods employed
in their production have steadily i'm
proved. Through the efforts OF our State
dairy instructor much has been accom-
plished for the benefit OF both producer
and customer. The milk supply OF the
principal cities and larger towns has been
thoroughly Investigated, and the illegal
sale Of imitation dairy products carefully
looked after. The inspection OF cream
cries, and of diaries, as far as practicable,
has been continued. Much has been
done in the line OF promoting spirit OF
cooperation between the creamery oper-
ator and the patrons.
| 1.-THE work of disseminating informa-
ton in relation to and suppressing dam
gerous insect pests, has been faithfully
carried on. All nurseries and many
orchards have been inspected and much
work done among the schools and oranges
A vigilant educational campaign against
the brown-tail moth has been kept up
Cities and towns, as well as individuals
in the infested district, as rule have
manifested much interest, and many Of
them have done excellent work in the
destruction of this pest. A very large
number of winter nests have been de-
stroyed, thus preventing Unreasonable
| The snof hin NJ Elv,s Itor;d Craa NJ