Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-12-14
Possibilities of Maine Agriculture

| bTi6I aOStIaCC OI tn6 auuEosS ny TToSi-
dent George Z. Fellows at Skowhegsn
The possibilities of Maine Agricul-
ture" means all the possibilities of pro-
duction and development on Maine farms
of farm crops, grain, hay, potatoes, corn,
etc., live stock and poultry, fruit, honey
and all other marketable commodities
which can be produced or cared for
profitably in this climate and on our
soil.
James j. Hill, who is devoting the
latter years of his life to the agricul-
tural development of the northwest,
says "Land without people is a wilder
ness. People without land are mob"
These two brief statements contain 8
world of truth. 1t is the people and the
land together properly adjusted, which
make a prosperous country. The pack
cd cities with all the industries cannot
exist without the products of the land.
The land cannot furnish the products
without people enough to properly de-
velop and market the products of the
land.
1t Is perfectly possible to demonstrate
without any exaggeration that the farm
land in Maine which is at present fit for
cultivation could support in abundance
five times the present population. Ger
tain small countries in Europe with less
than one half the territory OF Maine,
with no better opportunities for mar
kets, besides caring for their own peo-
pie, export what would seem to us almost
a fabulous amount of farm products
Denmark, for instance, with less than
half the area of Maine, supports popu-
lation of over 100000 and exports an
nually to Great Britain alone as, 900, 900
worth of butter and s21, 900, 900 worth of
bacon. Holland, with a still smaller
area, supports over 5000, 900 people and
her exports are equally valuable. Bel
GUM, with still smaller area, supports
nearly 1000, 900, although considerable
part of her products are industrial.
What can Maine do to begin this in
tensive cultivation of the soil and pro-
duce results which are comparable with
those obtained elsewhere? At the ex-
position in Seattle last summer moth
ing was more conspicuous than the skill
ful display of the agricultural products
and possibilities of the various counties
in the state of Washington. We all
know that however good the exhibit
from that large state, there are immense
areas entirely uncultivated. We also
know that great portion of their prod
ucts must be shipped AZ far as the At
lantic coast to obtain cash returns.
have no hesitation in saying that If the
same county organization and effort
were put forth here in Maine, there
would be a far greater difference between
the cost of production and the selling
price here than there and consequently
greater return to the farmers them
selves. We are in better position in
Maine just now to make higher per-
centage Of profit from the farms than In
some of the states of the middle west
which are so notably fertile. Within
two weeks have heard from the state
Of Iowa, where they have this year had
enormous crops, that the farmers are
not as we'll off in comparison with the
amount of money invested az in New
England. The crops are large, but the
prices low and the distance to market
great. In addition to this, the land has
cash value varying from 500 to 5000
an acre. The crops, therefore, must be
enormous in order to make as large a
percentage of profit on the investment
as where land can be purchased cheaper
and the distance to the chief markets
will continue for many years to be as
great as at present. Maine at present is
not cultivating as much of her land
which is suitable for farms as many
other states. The largest proportion OF
suitable farm land which Is actually
improved ia in the state OF Illinois
where they cultivate S6.4 per cent of the
farm land. In Maine, little less than
3S per cent is cultivated. There are in
Maine $500, 900 acres of good farm land
and only 100000 improved. This
takes no account whatever of about
25. 900 square miles Of forest and lake
area. If we were to cultivate in no i'm
proved manner, but merely as we now
do, the product of Maine should be 2 IA
times as much as at present. Is there
any reason why Maine should not put
az much energy and science into the de-
velopment of all the crops that can pos
sibly be raised in Maine as into the
single crop of potatoes? 1t has only
been a few years since this crop mas
been grown with the care used at pres
ent. There is now only one state which
exceeds Maine in the bushels produced
and that is New York with nearly four
times the acreage; and only two states
where the value of the crop is greater
than in Maine, these two being New
York and Pennsylvania and Pennsyl-
vania has 2 1-2 times the acreage and ex-
ceeds the value of the Maine crop by
only $34, ZOO.
If we are to develop the greatest pos
siblilities of Maine agriculture we must
adopt In many ways the methods In use
In other countries and partially in use in
other states of this country. We might
almost Immediately increase the pro-
duction of sweet corn and poultry and
dairy products in the same proportion
that we have Increased our potato crop.
The cooperation by means of associa-
tions, such as the COW testing associa-
tions which are now being formed in
this state, can develop almost beyond
imagination the quality and quantity OF
the product. These are exactly the
methods that are used where success is
the greatest.
To sum up In q sentence what we
must do to realize the highest possibili-
ties in Maine agriculture, is to organize,
cooperate, educate.
Thinks Full Bloods Not Necessary.
What 10 wanted is the COW that will
make the most butter and beef on a
reasonable amount of feed and the sheep
that will shear the most wool and make
the most mutton on a reasonable amount