Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-17
Com. Roberts Takes Up
The Matter With Vim.
Prizes Aggregaiing $3.50 for
Best Acre in State Of Maine.
One Offered by Thomas Dinsmore
Others by Sagadahoc Co.

A. Roberts is grasping the oppor-
tunities of his office, for the improve
| ment of Maine farming conditions, in
| a manner which admits of little doubt
as TO his intentions or ability. Com
mendation is heard on all sides for his
vigorous, efficient taking up of his
duties. As one of northern Names
leading farmers-a Democrat by the
way-has aptly remarked:
He is recognizing and Selling every
chance for betterment And where
there aren't any chances he's making
'em. You may say for me that I'm
not any afraid of Commissioner
Roberts,
The editor of the Kennebec Journal
called upon the commissioner at the
agricultural department in the State
House. Friday, &c discuss the matter
of prizes offered fer corn yield by
Thomas Dinsmore of China and the
Sasadahoc Fertilizer Co. of Bowdoin-
ham.
The Two Offers.
Mr.. Dinsmore, through the Journal,
made the following announcement.
Jan. s:
Corn PriZe-Season of 1913.
Believing that the farmers of
Maine. by judicious management
could save shipping hundreds of
thousands of bushels Of corn from
the West for their stock ] will
offer prize of one hundred dollars
ts1OO) to any person in the State
who will produce the largest NUM-
Der of BUSHELS of CORN (from
one measured acre. ABOVE ONE
HUNDRED BUSHELS.
EVIDENCE of the facts as to
the ground and NUMBER of
BUSHELS ABOVE ONE HUN
DRIED must be produced to the
eentire satisfaction of the staff of
the kennebec Journal, before the
prize will be paid. If more than
one person raises equal number of
bushels. then the premium will be
divided equally.
The Sagadahoc company immediate
ly came out with an offer of S25 adj
ditional to the person who won the
Dinsmore prize, and s25. more to the
one who was second I'M the contest
providing Sagadahoc fertilizer were
used in the growing.
The Journal editor liked the honor
but he was frightened by the re-
sponsibility. and wigwag ged C. q.
Dor are they S. O. S.?-signals in
the direction of the State House
Commissioner Roberts responded
bravely-not in rowboat but in &
full-rigged ship. That is, he didn't
merely save us; but he enlarges the
proposition. at much expense and
trouble, until the editor is proud to
remark that he knew about it when
ii was young!'
The Commissioners Suggestions.
He came back, in effect, as follows.
1T occurs TO me that there will be
more or less expense in connection
with the work There will be the
matter of printing. issuing cards and
receiving and filing reports also there
win be considerable field work.
1T seems to me that this is a good
opportunity for acquiring information
in regard to the raising of corn in
this State, which information we
greatly need.
Nov, we do not know what your
plans are in the matter, but this de-
partment will be willing to undertake
the work and meet the expense for the
sake of the information to be obtained.
We feel that there should be a de-
tailed and accurate historical and
financial record of each acre of corn
that is in the contest.
AS you see this involves consid-
cradle labor If left To us. we will
present to YOU for your approval the
blanks and other matters which it is
for your interest to know. We will
Immediately prepare and present To
you for approval form of monthly
report which we thing each contestant
should make
Commissioner Roberts further suS-
gests that the donors of the prizes de-
post in some savings bank in this
city the premiums they offer and that
the Same subject to withdrawal by
the Kennebee Journal. He also be-
lieVes that. in case no contestant
raised enough corn to secure the prize
this year. the offer ought TO be con-
tinued for another year, the money re-
naming in the bank and drawing in
tereSt meantime