Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-18
Conditions


when given proper cultivation, ferti-
lization and treatment; and her soil
and climate are adapted to the produc-
ton of great variety of valuable
crops.
Gated and spread abroad for years
and decades of years. that Maine soil
was sterile, incapable of producing as
large crops per acre as many of the
western states, has given place to
more intelligent understanding of the
factors that underlie successful crop
and animal production. For example:
Experience proves that in the pro-
duction of potatoes Maine far excels
any other state in the product per
acre, while in total production she
stands fourth among all the states of
the country. In the short period of
fifteen years the crop has increasN
from 100000 bushels to over 30,000,-
900; an increase in apples, sweet corn,
eggs. poultry, and other products of
the farm.
In dairying the average product per
cow is far in excess of the average
two decades ago, due to better prac-
tees in breeding and feeding and
more intelligent care of dairy animals.
What is Of greater worth, Names
farm products are Of the finest quail
ity, unsurpassed by those of any other
state and seldom equalled.
And yet, while development has been
going on these last years and the
quantity of some farm products has
increased quite largely, the advance
ment has not kept pace with the de-
yelopment in many other states.
What are the greatest needs of ag-
riculture in the State of Maine today?
First, there mas been for years a
shortage of capable and reliable farm
help. Although wages have been high,
most farmers have great difficulty in
securing help. competent and trust
worthy, to do the work of the farm
accofd ding to modern methods and in
modern ways. The same condition has
existed in many If not all other states.
Various attempts have been made to
solve the problems but up to the pres
emit time very little progress has been
made. To be sure this condition has
been relieved considerably by the in
PRODUCTION of modern machinery; still,
the work Of farm development is
greatly retarded by the fact that
young men prefer to find employment
in other occupations. How Is this al
most universal preference to abandon
farm work for work in other lines of
business to be overcome?
Combination
Farmers are loath to combine, yet
the farm supplies of neighborhood,
such as fertilizer, feed, seeds. machin-
cry and many other necessities might
be and ought to be bought and distrib-
uted by one member of the neighboF-
hood previously selected to do that
work. This method would save much
in labor and money for the other mem
bers. Such manager should be re-
Enumerated for his work.
In like way the sale of the farm
products of neighborhood might be
placed in the hands Of its most skill
full salesman, who might be able to
market their combined products to
the advantage of all The Farmers
Union of Maine is engaged in organ
izing neighborhoods for these pur-
poses and such organizations are
combined into a central Union so that
the purchase of supplies may be made
in large quantities and the sale of
farm products may be effected in
large lots; in both cases making
SAVING in labor, time and money. As
a rule farmers have not sufficient stor-
age facilities to take care of the larg
er crops they are now producing. Es-
pecially is more room needed to care
for apples and potatoes. Partially from
this lack of room, these crops are fore
ed upon the markets in such very
large quantities at harvest time that
the market breaks down and large
losses result. In addition to hime stor-
age, producers centering about
shipping station need storage houses
of considerable capacity to facilitate
shipments as well as to store sup
plies.
The Farmers" Union has organized
over so branches. It is already doing
large business and has saved its
members considerable money.
Banking Facilities
Farmers need better banking facili-
ties. The increase in quantity or
products handled and the increase in
cost of production demands from them
a much larger capital than formerly.
The farmer must have more capital
so as to pay cash for his supplies, and
also to be able to hold his crops un-
til he can obtain for them the best
market. Many Of our banks and trust
companies open their doors freely to
the farmers and grant the credit they
need. But on the other hand, many
seem unwilling to do this, and do not
do it, to the great detriment of the
business Of farming in their vicini-
ties. The farming business has an
equal right to such credit with any
other business and should not be de-
MED.
Grading
Producers of merchandise to be
placed on the market for sale are
careful to have their goods strictly
graded and properly packed. If they
do not do this, they inevitably fail -
find our retail a profitable market
The farmers Of Maine need to see to
it that their products are properly
graded and packed and suitably and
honestly labelled. 1 fear that in this
ra.r.,. Sauna IF them are falling