Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-05-04
Maine Stock Interests Moving Up.


The Farmer has always stood squarely
behind the stock interests Of Maine,
fully believing that the value of neat
stock for the lasting benefit of the farms
must continue to be of highest impor-
tance. Notwithstanding the growing i'm
portance of the potato industry and the
possibilities of orcharding, both of
| which are yet in swaddling clothes,
stock-dairy animals, and beef animals
give evidence of continuing to be the
foundation of Maine's prosperity for
generations to come.
An hours chat recently enjoyed with
DR.. Leon S. Merrill, State Dairy 1n-
structor, afforded much gratifying con-
firmatory evidence of the unmistakable
advance of Maine stock hnsbandry to-
ward higher levels. The farmers of
Maine are now quite generally of the
opinion that the average or medium
dairy animal or beef animal must be
superseded by something better. The
keen interest taken in the cow-testing
associations organized under the super
vision of the department of agriculture
of Maine last season, was sure indica-
ton of the desire for accurate knowledge
of dairy cows-their production, cost OF
production and profit or loss resulting.
This year the demand for such knowl-
edge among dairymen is still more evil
dent
Many dairy sections are now steadily
making demands on the time of DR..
Merrill for information touching the de-
tails of operating cow-testing associ-
60 inA ~
that as many cow-testing associations
will be organized this season as can be
looked after by the department together
with those organized last season and
early this season. At least two new
associations of this character are quite
certain to become a reality. One at
Bridgton, Cumberland County and one
at Charleston, Penobscot County. April
80 is the date set to complete the or
ganization at Charleston.
A feature of the cow-testing work that
is proving of great advantage, is the
assistance that the college of agriculture
of the University of Maine is giving to 1t
in the way of discussion of educational
questions by Dean Hurd and other men,
bers of the college faculty. At recent
meeting of the East Sumner, Oxford
County association, Prof. Hurd spoke on
Raising of Succulent Feeds and Eco
nomic Feeding of Dairy Cows" and be-
fore the Waterford and Norway Associa-
tion on the same subject. A graduate
student of the college, r. W. Redman,
also spoke at these meetings on Dairy
Sanitation. These, with DR.. Merrill,
afforded a force of speakers that were
able to let in much light on matters of
vital interest to the members OF these
associations, there being over one hun
dred present at both meetings.
Equally interesting to the Farmer was
the intelligence obtained from Dr. Mer-
rill in relation to the other line of work
being encouraged by the department of
agriculture, viz, establishment OF Breed
ers' Associations. There is now most
encouraging outlook for the second
association of this kind to be organized
next week in Norway, the Holstein own
ers of that vicinity being enthusiastic
for such organization. There is like
wise a strong probability that Jersey
Breeders Association will soon be or
ganized in the same county, probably at
Waterford. Thus it will be noted that
Oxford County is setting a pace in Or
ganizing for breeding and cow-testipg
that will hurry other Maine counties to
overtake. Ip organizing for orchard i'm
provements and for protection of sale
milk interests, Oxford County has
blazed the way for Maine farmers and
best of all betterment has resulted in
each instance that thus far has been un-
der way sufficiently long to show re-
suits.
The whole broad question being 80
admirably solved and brought down to a
practical working basis by the depart
ment of agriculture, is just another
illustration-and a most convincing one
of the possibilities for good that are to
be found in CO operation of effort among
farmers. By union of forces and COM
biuing of helpful ideas production of
dairy supplies and other stock can be
placed on a much more satisfactory
basis, then by carrying the cooperation
one step farther and uniting in the pur-
chase of supplies for dairying and other
necessities and luxuries, the farmer can
make the proceeds of the dairy and farm
husbandry in general, Of much larger
purchasing power. There is no dis
putting the fact, the day of cooperation
among rural dwellers is at hand and
Maine is making good start toward in
augurating the new order OF things
Maine Farmer.