Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-01-10
Farmers lnstltu utes.
ONE OF THE WORKERS MAKES A COM
MENT UPON THE WORK.

l closed recently another year of in
stitute work, under the auspices OF the
office of commissioner of agriculture fol-
the state of Maine. have noted fol
several years the work of this Office, ant
write with the feeling that 1t has done a
great service to the state. Commission
or A. w. Gilman has made great com
missioner of agriculture. With a clear
vision, he saw that the agricultural re-
sources of Maine were those OF great
possibilities very imperfectly developed.
With patient diplomacy worthy of
Talleyrand in his better methods, he be-
gan by harmonizing the discordant farm
forces, uniting them in broad policy OF
progressive agricultural movement.
His own personally has been kept in the
background while others, selected with
the skill Of born organizer, OF special
tastes or talents, have been put forward
to lead in advanced work in the several
departments of productive agriculture
and of economic work. There ThOmp'
son and Merrill have vitalized the dairy
work, established cow-test associations,
seed and stock breeding organizations,
aud have made them a power for good.
Prof. Hitchings has centered the atten-
tion of the east in the fruit industry and
set in motion modern processes in or
charding, while Captain Philbrook has
marshaled his battalions Of moth ex'
terminators as he did those of the army,
doing as effective work with the limited
means at command as could be expected,
and more. In institute work, his motto
has been "the BEST" and Maine farmers
have had the counsel Of the ablest farm
thinkers and speakers Of the country.
Comparisons are often odious, and
so may say, with due and courteous
consideration of the states, that no state
of the east-and it may be doubted If
any state-has surpassed Maine In the
forward move in its varied agricultural
features. The impulse to better things
is on in the state. In no direction could
endeavor serve the state more than at
tention to the technical education OF its
farm youths.
have noted his friendly attitude to
the State College of Agriculture, and
Us pecially the interest taken in secondary
education in elements Of agriculture In
the common schools. A broad general
policy OF forward movement OF Iarm IN
terests has been pursued.
Nor should it be overlooked that In
fostering fairs, he has stood for the ex-
clusion of the immoral elements that
are so nauseating to decent citizens, and
has s,outly applied his power under the
law.
This free expression of opinion by a
non resident is from one who, for 30
years, has mingled at irregular periods
with Maine farmers, for whom he has an
unaffected and high esteem, and who
sees in the agricultural resources OF the
state, latent resources, too little appre-
ciated by the major portion of its citi-
zens. count it a pleasure, as an OBJ
server, to pay this tribute to Commits
sioner Gilman. These are my sole rea-
sons for this intrusion, If such it may be
esteemed. If at times may have SEEM
ed effeminately sentimental over New
England agriculture, it is because Of the
noble part of those associated with 1t,
and of the greatness of its future, If We
50 will il. Mr.. Gilman has been potent
force for its advancement.-J. W. San
born, Gilmanton, n. H., in Maine Farmer.