Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-07-05
AGRICULTURE.
OPPORTUNITY IT OFFERS IN
MAINE,
NEW ENGLAND FARMS MUST TREBLE
PRODUCT TO FEED OUR OWN
PEOPLE.

PRODUCT TO FEED OUR OWN
PEOPLE.
tDr. L. 8. Merrill, Dean OF the College Of Ar
riculture, U. Of NJ, in Portland, Press.l
A few days ago the writer asked prom
inent business man to name the most Inn
portant industry in the world. He un-
hesitatingly replied - agriculture. This
opinion we are quite sure 10 shared by our
leading business men and farmers, and Is
one of the very hopeful things concern
ing agriculture to-day, for 1t shows an ap-
probation Of its importance in relation to
other industries. The great problem Of
adequate food supply for the whole world
10 involved in the problems Of agriculture.
Maine ID greatly concerned in the So
luton Of her agricultural problems, and
when We consider the opportunities she
has for development along agricultural
lines we can well understand why this ID
SO.
She has approximately eighteen mil
about one-third, or SIX million two hum
dred and ninety thousand acres are in
cluded among farm lands, while moro
than one-half her total land area is in
wilderness state. The farm lands con-
tain two million three hundred fifty
thousand acres improved land OF which
only about one million six hundred
! thousand acres are devoted to crops Of all
| kinds.
These figures emphasize the possibility
OF agricultural development so far az farm
areas are concerned, and while we are
astonished at the extent Of the opportu-
nifty they open up to us, we must certainly
appreciate the fact that the great struggle
at the present time is not to secure more
acres, but to make more efficient the acres
| we already have.
With her millions OF people, New Eng
land furnishes market for farm products
not surpassed by any other section OF our
country. II New England people are to be
fed from New England farms then there
must be an increase in production from
these farms Of more than 800 per cent.
Concentration Of population is going on
steadily. The capacity of the farms will be
taxed to greater degree than formerly
New problems will be constantly
arising requiring the greatest watchfuI-
meas, the closest study, and the keenest oil
business insight to solve. The great CRY
for efficiency will increase in volume. Iti
need is everywhere felt and especially SC
upon the farm.
Never has time been more opportune
than the present for organizing . cam
paign for agricultural development; q
campaign that will educate, organize and
advertise.
EDUCATION.
Education has been placed first because
1t is unquestionably Of first Importance
Agricultural education is coming to be
generally recognized ss q necessary ad-
junct to young mans training in order
that he may be prepared to engage in
farming successfully. Farming is some
thing more than mere blowing, and milk
ing, and picking rocks. 1t is business
that requires definite knowledge Of the
principles involved, sound judgment in
their application, and keen business per-
ception in the organization OF the farm
and the marketing Of farm products.
Practical farming does not necessarily
mean the ordinary practice Of farming but
it does mean successful farming. II the
problems OF farming are to be met ano
COPIED with successfully, il farming is to
be made attractive to the young, il it is t(
be firmly established in their minds as {
desirable and profitable business in which
to engage, then the importance Of agricul.
tural education must be realized. Agri
cultural education is fundamental in any
campaign for the promotion Of agricul.
ture. 1t has thus far been the basis OF al
agricultural progress and will so continue
through all the years.
| TheIneed OF an agricultural education O
FARM boys is q growing one and its impor
tance;will be recognized more and more b,
| our Maine farmers. That it is already be-
| ing so recognized, the rapidly increasing
number Of students in the Maine Colleg,
OF Agriculture demonstrates.
While theiopportunity for graduates il
agriculture to engage in investigation o.
Institutional work is greater than evel
DctOIc, iuOEc anu moEc VI tucL arc BOiue
back to the farm either as owners or Al
managersifor other people.
ThisDphase Of the situation is both inter
estingland important. Just 80 long as the
extension OF agricultural teaching in col
leges and schools; Of research by expert.
ment stations; Of investigation by thu
United States department Of agriculture Il
growing by leaps and bounds, just SO lonl
will there be an ever-increasing demand
for the graduates of agricultural colleges
and yet it is exceedingly fortunate ane
significant that such large percentage O
graduates prefer to engage in the sctua
practice Of agriculture.
For.resident students the college offer
foul. year courses in agriculture, domestic
science, land forestry, leading to the degre'
Of bachelor of science; two year courses il
agriculture and domestic science; one
1 De- tn,