Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-09-15

to raise it to higher plane. An increased
knowledge of the business is necessary lin
order to secure the best results. The two
contrasting associations organized in
December, 1907, have been continued, and
another has been added, and the results
obtained thus far have been very encour-
aging.
1.-THE dairyman, by the aid OF the as
sociations, is enabled to learn more
nearly the value Of each individual COW,
and the cost Of production. The official
tester employed by the association weighs
and tests the milk of each COW every
month, and ascertains the amount of
butter fat she is producing and the costs
and value OF the dairy ration. Thus the
farmer can know the profit from each
individual COW, and the cost OF producing
pound of butter fat, and with this
knowledge he can select out his best
COWS and breed up his herd. Every man
in the association is also familiar with
what his neighbor is doing, and is stimu-
lated, by comparison, to more economic
production. This work will be extended
as much as possible.
1--WE believe that the organisation Of
breeders associations in connection with
the contrasting associations would be Of
much value. The value Of these. organiza-
tions is well illustrated by the fact that in
Wisconsin, where many Of them are in OPP
eration, from one county last year $780,
600 worth OF dairy stock OF recognised ex-|
cellence was sold. The basic problem Of
dairying is the breeding OF better animals,
animals of higher productive capacity and
stronger constitutions, from which better
returns may be obtained for the feed con-
sumed. Dairymen should give more at
tention to this line of work.
"The department has continued its
efforts to impress upon the people of the
State the Importance and necessity of
agricultural and industrial instruction in
the public schools. These schools should
fit for vocation. The population of this
and other states is continually increasing,
and in order for the farms to meet this |
increase there must be a more intelligent |
system of agriculture. This can best be |
brought about by teaching the. principles |
Of agriculture in our public--schools.
s'The farmer has business to;be stud |
led and learned. 1t needs trained mind I
as much as any other occupation. Let us
educate our boys, who are to be the farm
ers OF the future, for that work. Specific |
training of a practical kind is necessity |
for the coming occupants..of our farms, as
well as those engaged in.the mechanical |
industries. The most valuable asset Of the |
State is her children. They should be |
trained to high ideals of every day living !
and to high efficiency in their respective |
vocations.
''The educational departments OF some
OF the states have already introduced the
teaching of agriculture into the public |
schools, and others are making strong
recommendations in this line. Maine
must keep in the front ranks if her agri-
culture is to be properly developed. We are
convinced that agricultural and industrial
education must be carried:on side by side
with general education by our school |
authorities. We believe that the State |
department can care for this form of edu-
cation as successfully as it has cared for the
older forms, and that it can do it without |
great expense by eliminating some of the |
other branches that are not SO essential" |