The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-06-09
FRANK E. HOWE, Editor and Pub'r
A Lesson from Maine
Maine exehange says:

Never nave the farmers through
out the state OF Maine taken so much
interest in an agricultural exposition
as they are taking in the Corn show
to be held at the Auditorium in Port
land next November While the af-
fair is being held under the direction
of the Portland Board of Trade 1t is
not a Portland exposition, as is
shown by the fact that in addition to
the Farmers club they have associa-
ted with themselves the State Grange
the Maine Seed association and the
State College of Agriculture.
1T Is one In which the whole state
will take part An excellent list of
prizes win be offered and they will
be awarded for quality in the several
classes, regardless of the territory in
which the products are grown.
''The Board of Trade desires to
boom Maine. In doing so it Is the
belief of the members of the associa-
ton that it will help all Where one
place is benefited, it Is bound to be
felt in other sections of the state.
Everyone OF the committeeman are
working with enthusiasm there is
every indication that the show will
surpass anything ever before witness
ed in the state. 1t will bring hun
dreds from outside the state. While
the exposition is given the name of
the Maine Corn and Fruit show, prac-
tically all of the leading products of
Maine will be shown, and prizes will
be awarded accordingly.
THE fact that such an early start
has been made demonstrates that I'M
usual interest is being taken. IL is
not an affair held for profit, but TO
serve as an educational feature. II
will show the many farmers through
out the state what his brother" is
doing and will prove of great benefit
TO all. The exposition will also fully
satisfy all that Maine can produce
if it so desires, any of the products
of the West and in greater quantit-
les per acre. Entries are already be-
ing received and the list will no
doubt be closed earlier than anticipa-
ted"
Isn't here a good suggestion for
Vermont. If such an enterprise is
good for Maine it is good for the peo-
Pile of our state. The Montpelier
Board of Trade has held corn, apple
and potato meetings, but they have
been confined to Washington county
farmers. 1t would be a splendid idea
to have State Corn and Fruit show
in this city and If a state board of
trade could be organized this might
be accomplished
Possibly something of the kind
may be secured now. The state Hor-
ticultural society is to meet here in
the fall and this really will be a state
fruit show. Why is il not possible at
the same time to have state corn
show here? Such an exhibit would
add interest and enthusiasm 70 corn
growing in which We rank very high
already as a state in the yield OF bush
els per acre A greater corn crop
would mean the addition of hundreds
of thousands of dollars to the wealth
of the state.
The people of Maine are aroused TO
the importance of booming the state
and the Portland Board of Trade re-
Gently arranged for a special train on
which eighty of its members toured
the state to promote the idea OF get
ting together" In discussing this en-
terprise in advance the Portland Elk
press said:
"The tour of the Portland Board of
Trade which leaves this city tomor-
row morning for a three days frater-
nal visit among our neighbors is one
Of the most important and may be
one of the most valuable movements
in cementing the Industrial, CONNER
cial and fraternal relations of the
various parts of the state of Maine
that has ever been undertaken here.
THE significant fact in connection
with this movement on the part of
the leading business men of the me-
tropolis of the state, is that it is
largely unselfish Those who are
moving in this matter are seeking
the interests of others at least as
much as they are their own. II is
calculated to bring to the attention
of the communities in the various
portions of the state, the benefits
which all may derive from concerted
united action in matters pertaining
to business and social life. These,
the business and social life, are the
mainsprings of our community ac-
ton. To promote either or both is
to contribute to the welfare of every
community TO which the influence ex-
tends. If such an effort, inspired by
such motives, may not be called
strictly speaking altruistic, it is at
least unselish and highly to be com
mended."
That advice is just as good for
Vermont as it is for Maine We are
getting together and making pro-
gress but we could accomplish more
and do it more rapidly by proper or
ganization. We will do well to take
a lesson from Maine.-Montpelier
Journal.