The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-06

Work OF the department ioi i'iV' "h
der Former Commissioner A. w. Gil
man of Foxcroft, which was sent out
from the department last week, states
that the year 1910 has brought a
good degree of prosperity to the farm
ers OF the State.
The results of the steady progress
and development In the science OF
agriculture, which have been greater
during the last 10 years than in the
20 years that preceded them are seen
in all the farming communities says
the report. THE necessity of acquir-
in a knowledge of the principles
which underlie their farm operations,
and conducting their farming on
business basis is well recognized by
the majority of farmers. The idea OF
in their efforts Is con
stantly gaining ground and many CO.
operative associations have been or
ganized during the past year"
THE abundance of rain in the early
part OF the season assured to the
farmers a bountiful hay crop. The
apple crop in some parts of the State
was very light. but the small crop OF
the year has not discouraged the or
chardsts. The Gregory gift and the
prizes following this and the special
| fruit institutes that were held in the
| fruit sections early in the year have
aroused an interest and enthusiasm
in the orchard industry such as we
have never seen before, and farmers
I'm all fruit sections of the State are
setting out new orchards and renovat-
ing the old ones. Nearly 200 acres
have been entered for the Gregory
prize. and many large orchards have
been set out in addition to these prize
acre orchards.
"At the annual meeting of the State
Pathological society there was great
display of very fine fruit. The amount
in boxes and barrels was exceptional
~ large and the fruit came to the
show In perfect condition. Great
credit Ia due to the officers OF the so
ciety for the attractive manner IN
which the display was arranged. rms
was the largest and finest eXhlDltloh
of fruit ever held in the state. IT
is evident from this exhibition that
some of the farmers of Maine are tax
ing better care of their trees and
know how to produce good fruit.
THE nurseries are carefully in
spected each year and we believe that
the suggestions offered by the State
entomologist and his assistant in
making these inspections, in the line
of growing stock free from insects
and diseases have been of much as
sistance. Orchard inspection has been
carried on as far as consistent with
other work. Practically all of the
orchards set for the Gregory prize
have been inspected by a representa-
tive of the department.
"The work of eXterminating the
gypsy and brown-tail moths has been
during the previous year. Great credit
is due to the gypsy moth force for
their efficient work in checking the
cities and towns infested with the
brown-tail moth have done good
work In Kidding their trees of this
pest and have manifested a desire to
fully carry out the requirements of
the law. In some of the Southern and
coast towns the repeated clipping of
the trees to secure the nests is en-
dangering the trees and we would
suggest that these towns supply them
selves with sprayers and adopt the
method of spraying to combat the
pest"
THE DAIRY WORK.
or the results accomplished by the
dairy division of the department the
report says: 1.-The dairymen are very
much in earnest in regard to the i'm
provement of the dairy breeds and the
members of the several breeders as
sociations have manifested much in
terest in the work.
1.-THE members of the COW test asso-
Citations have increased their interest
in these associations. Monthly meet
ings have been held during the year
and at these meetings questions in
relation to the feeding and care of the
cows and other matters, which have
offered difficulty to members of the
association have been discussed
These meetings have been generally
attended by representative of the
department.
THE investigation of dairy pro-
ducts under the act of the Legislature
Of 1909, has been vigorously prosecut-
ed during the year Samples of milk
have been taken in all sections of the
State and the department has issued
quarterly bulletins giving the results
of the analyses of these samples The
publicity that is given to the work of
the milk dealers in this way is doing
and has done much towards advanc-
ing the standard of our market milk
Interest in the poultry industry is
steadily increasing. This Is one of the
industries that never fails because of
hard times or low prices. Poultry has
long been a side issue on the majority
of farms, but 1t is now becoming in
many instances one of the leading
farm industries. The value of CO.
operation in this industry has been
urged by the department and the
September number of the Quarterly
Bulletin was devoted to a branch of
the industry that has not received the
attention 1t should command-the
marketing of poultry products.
"a good interest has been shown in
the farmers Institutes this season.
Excellent speakers have been secured,
u l.. ~.