Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-07-25
Agricultural College Extension Work.

Inc lecture anu uouOustEaliou woAA
carried on BY the College Of Agriculture
during the summer vacation will begin
in earnest about August 1st. Already .
great deal of interest is being manifested
and large number of meetings arranged
for. all phases of farm work being fairly
we'll represented in the requests for
The season promises
to be very active one.
Very significant of the increased in
terest in live stock improvement are the
very many requests for demonstrations
in live stock judging. Years ago con-
siderable Of this sort OF work was done
and then came period when such dem.
onstrations were almost unheard OF aud
now again it is coming into favor. This
factor is, in the opinion Of the writer
very hopeful sign, for 1t indicates an
increased interest in the types Of animals
and their relation to the economics OF
the animal and dairy husbandry busi-
ness. Prof. Campbell and other mem
bers of the animal industry department
Of the college expect to be very busy
from now until the beginning OF the
college year Sept. Goth.
What has been said Of the Animal In
dustry department can be said equally
as we'll of the other departments-Farm
Crops, Farm Management, Poultry Hus-
bandry, and Horticulture. 1t cannot be
denied that the demonstration idea Is
growing iu popularity and value. Re-
spending to this demand the college is
irving In 80 far as 1t can with the funds
at its disposal to meet the wishes OF the
people. During the past few years In
addition to the lectures and demonstra-
tions, cooperative demonstrations or
experiments have been carried on with
several hundred people In the state each
year. The present year these demonstra-
tions are being conducted with corn,
oats, and alfalfa. In number they are
a. follows:-corn IT'S, oats 80, alfalfa 20.
On the college farm several hundred
demonstration plots are being carried,
the seed for large portion OF them hav-
ing been sent in by the farmers and
oranges of the state. Out of all this
work vast amount of good will come 10
the Improvement of the various kinds of
seed used in the state. These different
kinds of denomination work are all
good; they each serve . purpose and
logically lead up to the demonstration
farm where q part of the whole farm de-
votes itself to the demonstration OF mod
ern agricultural methods. Such work
has been tried by other states under the
leadership of the college Of agriculture
and the results have been far reaching In
their effect upon increased and profit
able crop production.
The plan generally followed is to estab-
lish an agreement between the college
and farmers whose farms are centrally
located and easy of access to large
number Of people, whereby the farm or
certain parts Of II 10 to be known as .
demonstration farm. Representatives OF
the college agree to visit the farm at
certain intervals for the purpose Of ad-
vising with the owner, who is In turn to
keep accurate records Of methods, OF
OF penses, Of results both In yield and In
financial returns. In addition to this
one or more field days or demonstration
meetings are to be held on the farm each
year. This plan of demonstration work
the college 10 now ready to undertake,
whether 1t be- along the line of animal
and dairy husbandry, OF poultry keeping
Of crop raising and seed improvement,
Of fruit growing, or Of farm management
1t may be interesting to know that las,
winter two farms In Maine we're offered
for this purpose by their owners with
the stipulation that the whole farm
operations should be directed by the
college for period Of ten years. These
offers tho college was obliged to decline
for the reason that at that time 1t was
not in . position to undertake tho work
Any farmer interested In this proposition
should write the college in the near 10
ture a the plans arc now being made
for next years. work. Full plans viii
be sent on application.
Any grange, agricultural society, club
or individuals desiring lectures or dem
onstratiOns on any phase of farm work
should write Leon 8. Merrill, Director o.
Extension Work, at once 90 that salts
factory dates can be arranged. Last yea
the college gave 100 Of these demonstra-
tlons. This year II 10 hoped to give q
least $50. The demonstrations are givel
without expense, except transportation
to and from the railroad station and On
'tsrtainmsnt during the day.