The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-08-25

and this has not kept pace with the
changing conditions of the times. The
increased number of insect pests fol
the last few years has made spray
| ing essential. Neglect in pruning,
spraying, cultivating and fertilizing
is seen in all sections of the State.
There are a few orchards, however; in
different sections, that have had the
best of care and are yielding some of
the finest fruit that is grown any
where in this country.
THE value of organization in this
industry is also beginning to be
realized. A fruit growers association
which has been organized by the
farmers in Oxford county is doing
very helpful work. Steps have al
ready been taken for the organization
of the Kennebec Valley Fruit Grow
ers' association and it is hoped that
the work may be extended much far
Their the coming year. 1t is the in
tention of the department to encour-
age and assist in the formation of
these associations as far as time and
funds will permit
GYPSY AND BROWNTAIL MOTHS.
THE funds of the State for the ex-
/ been expended along the line of the
work done by the United States de-
partment. Consultation has been fire.
quently held with the field agent of
the government and the field agent
for Maine, and the agent of the gen
eral government has assured us that
we are doing as efficient work in the
determination of the gypsy moth as is
| l. l. - ;,,FA Cd
states The State is very fortunate
in having for it's field agent such an
able, energetic man as Capt. E. E.
Philbrook of Portland.
The active work of suppressing the
browntail moth is being done by the
municipalities and the individual own
ers of fruit and shade trees, as the
law requires. The cities and towns
in the infested sections are mani
testing great interest in this work.
They have taken it up in a system
attic way, and the owners of real es-
tate in most instances are co-operat-
ing with the officials in using their
utmost efforts to eXterminate this
pest.
NURSERY INSPECTION.
The nurseries in the State have
/ been inspected and certificates grant
ed in accordance with the law. The
amendments to the law relating to
nursery stock, passed by the last leg
lslature, requiring the licensing of
agents and authorizing The 81. Il en-
! tomologist to inspect stock coming in
to the State, have been of assistance
in preventing the introduction of dan
gerous insect pests. Many orchards
have also been inspected and inform
alton given, not only in regard to the
suppression of insect pests, but also
in relation to the general care and
treatment of the trees. This work
has been faithfully prosecuted by the
State entomologist, Prof. E. F. Hitch
ings.
LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY INTER
ESTS.
I'VE regret that our farmers have
not awakened to the full Importance
of the live stock industry. With a
better selection of animals and more
intelligent feeding, stock raising
would show a balance on the right
side. The number of farm animals
should be increasing, but the re-
turns from the local assessors to the
State board of assessors show a de-
crease in most classes The short
hay crop occasioned by the drought
of the past two years has undoubted-
ly had much to do with the deprecia-
ton in the number of cattle
The stock raisers must make a
special effort to raise more forage
crops. There should be more in
tonciun cultivation onH q hnftnr fnrti-
lization of the grass fields, so that a
larger crop may be produced. thus
making it possible to keep more farm
animals. The crops of the farmer are
largely the measurement OF the
wealth that he is producing.
"Dairying has always been one Of
the leading industries of Maine. The
farmers the past year have manifest
ed an increased interest in this
branch of our agriculture. The COW
test associations that have been
formed and are now in successful OPP