Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-12-31

II ICOxxo0p000o000 on pf8o0c8l 48flCOWUxnl tOPlc
u sol1cited. Address all communications "
tended for this department 20 H1NHY d
HAMMOND. Agricultural Editor Oxford Dem
ocxats Paris. Ne.
importance Of Dalrying Is q
Business.
That dsirying 10 and should continue
to be . business holding very high po
sition In Maine agriculture, 10, believe
q self-evident truth.
Certain 1t 10 that no branch OF agricul
ture promises more wonderful develop
ment or is so replete with far-reaching
possibilities. Our soil, climate and To-
cation, a. we'll az the character Of the
men and women who comprise our pop
ulation, all conspire to produce results
| iu this direction which challenge the
Ioompetition Of the most favored sections
Of the globe. Revelling In the sweet
lush grasses of our hillsides, drinking
from the cool springs which pour their
pure waters from our granite soil, her
aesthetic tastes satiated by the diversity
of crops made possible by our location
and climate, the dairy COW Of Maine
evolves q product which under the
skilled touch and keen discernment Of
our people attains those fine points OF
quality which satisfy the exaoting tastes
Of the epicurean and find an ever-wait.
ing market. Thus the already large in-
come of our dairy products is easily Ca
pable of almost indednite multiplication,
adding untold wealth to our Maine agri-
culture.
Again, the dairying industry 10 Of tre-
mendous importance In its .alstion to
the conservation Of the fertility Of
our soil, feature which vitality concerns
not only ourselves but the welfare of the
generations to come. In no other
branch of our agricultural economy il 1t
possible to sell 80 valuable product
and vet retain upon tho farm 80 large q
proportion of the elements Of fertility.
Thus the dairy COW becomes . soil
builder rather than soil r0bber, fur
nishing product which above all others
is rich in those elements which are in.
dispsnsable to the life, health, happi-
ness and vitality of the people, yet re-
turning to the soil those elements which
ever make for increased production.
The truth of this is amply attested by
the fact that other conditions being
equal, in those sections where dairying
reaches the highest point Of perfection is
20 be found the most fertile soil ss well
az the highest prosperity of the people.
[ have no desire to minimize the i'm
portance of other branches of our Maine
husbandry; all are necessary and all are
important in our agricultural economy;
but do contend that dairying should
and does occupy q position which in
view of the enormous value OF products,
the resulting prosperity OF the people
and the conservation OF soil fertility,
our highest endeavor for Its
proper development and is worthy OF
our best cultured efforts. Nor can the
of the business OF dairying
be measured from q pecuniary stand
point alone. 1t cannot fail to exert
lasting and beneficial effect upon the
moral and intellectual stamina Of the
populace. Ths COW in her native state,
we are told, gave only milk enoug b to
oourish her offspring for short time,
and TO develop from this crude animal
the modern dairy COW with her marvel.
Gus efficiency has required the acme OF
skill aud the employment of mans high
est intellectual faculties. The success
full dairyman Is daily brought face to
face with problems which have to do
with the most intricate phases OF biology
and as be delvss deeper aud deeper into
the mysterious mazes of her being, and
begins to comprehend the stupendous
possibilities which ever beckon him on,
the dairy cow becomes potent factor
in his development, also.
As the comp mpsnionship of good wom-
an has an appreoiable effect on the lives
of her associates, so the constant COM
panionship of the gentle dairy COW tends
to develop in man the flner attributes OF
his being, while at the same time she ~
spires him to the cultivation OF bis high
est m mentality that he may more success
fully master the mysteries OF her de-
velopment. >
Nowhere in the realm Of agriculture is
required to so large a degree the exer'
else of mans highest powers for ooser,
walton and scientific research as ia found
in the breeding and feeding OF the dairy
animal, and the care and perfection OIL
her product that 1t may properly fuinii
its function in the nOurishment OF man
kind. And 1t Is an occupation that
merits and may well receive our most
careful consideration, for on the products
of the dairy depend to an almost incon-
ceiyable degree the health and happ'-
ness of the race. So familiar have these
become and 30 common their use, that
We fail to appreciate the tremendous
part which they play in our human econ
omy. Even at the prevailing high prices
of milk, it easily becomes one of the
cheapest sources OF nutrition, 1000
suitable ut once for the strong man "a
be goes to his daily toll, and for the In
valid seeking strength and nourishment
TO Withstand the ravages OF disease;
while upon its lifs-giving properties hang
the destinies of the countless thousands
of infant lives. While playing an impor'
taut part 10 the composition OF the rich
mans food, it 10 also within reach OF the
nurse of those In tho humber walks OF
life, and the slightest diminution in Its
entails Inconvenience and
For other agricultural products, sub
stitute is easily provided, but only In the
most limited degree can We dispense
with the use of our dairy products.
II am aware that am bringing to your
attention no new theory; neither am
dealing in facts that are unknown to
YOU: but 1t Ia meet that We should pause
AZ times to consider those things which
in their familiarity have for tho time
being lost their hold upon our attention
and thus fail to receive consideration
which their Importance demands.
II succeed in this brief paper In
bringing TO your minds some thoughts
which shall serve as the embryo OF deep
ar meditations leading to higher aPpre-
citation of the importance OF our calling
AZ dairymen and the part We play In the
of this most necessary
portion Of our sustenance, my enorts
will not be In vain.
Concsding its importance, What place
shall dairying occupy In our Maine agri,
culture? Az l have previously stated,
do not wish to minimize the advantages
of other branches, but 1t does seem to
me that dairying has many distinct
points of superiority. The dairyma
hn. q steady income from the sale OF bis
products with very little duotuation
from year to year. In other branches Of
our Maine agriculture the farmer often
49,. III ,ha vaar nnlv In fnd at last