The Republican journal., 1915-11-11
The Boys Convention
A Two Days Session of the Boys Agricul-
tural Clubs of Waldo County. Practical
and Interesting Addresses, a Banquet,
etc.

GtS.
There was general regret that last FRIDAY
the opening day of the Boys Convention in
this city.a cold rain storm set in but it did not
dampen the enthusiasm of the visitors or in
terfere with the program, which fortunately
was arranged for indoor addresses, etc. The
convention, made up of delegates from the
Boys Potato Clubs of Waldo County, was held
under the auspices of the Belfast Board Of
Trade and the Extension Division of the Col
lege of Agriculture, University of Maine. The
Belfast Boy Scouts with their leader, Orrin j.
Dickey, and others. met the delegates at the
station on arrival of the morning train and es-
corted them to Memorial hall. The Bows
Band was to have accompanied them, but the
rain prevented and they played at the first
session in Memorial hall, where all the exer-
cises were held. Mayor Charles r. Coombs.
in behalf of the city, welcomed to Belfast the
lads of Waldo county, expressing his own pleas
ure as well as that of the city at their pres
ence here. He spoke of the good it was hoped
to accomplish and wished each a very happy
visit and safe return to their homes when the
two days session shall close. Mr.. Morris l..
Slugg, representing the Belfast Board of
Trade, also extended cordial greetings and
hearty welcome. Professor Ralph P, Mitch
ell, U. of M, State leader of the Boys Agri-
cultural Clubs and enthusiast in the work,
made brilliant response. At II o'clock an
address 1.-THE School and the Home was
given by Hon. Payson Smith of Augusta
State superintendent of schools, and the
schools of the city were dismissed at a quarter
before IL in order to allow the teachers to at
tend. Mr.. Smiths remarks were addressed
specially to the boys and he spoke of the in
t1uences in the home, the school and the
church that would make them what all would
like to be--good American citizens, with clean
morals and high ideals. He told them that the
most successful men in all walks of life are
those of the cleanest morals and urged them
to stick to their tasks and apply the lessons
learned to everyday life. Ii was practical
and pertinent address that held the close at
tention of the audience and cannot fail to be
productive of good.
At noon the meeting adjourned and the
entertainment for dinner.
The afternoon session opened at l.l5. Owing
to illness Dean Merrill of the University of
Maine was unable to be present and Prof. W..
c. Monahan of the University substituted.
His talk was on 1.-THE Opportunities in Farm
ing for the Young Men" He spoke of the
awakened interest in farming manifested by
city farmers clubs, Chambers of Comme rec,
State and National officials, and by individuals,
of the more than million boys and girls en-
rolled in corn, potato, canning, beef and pig
clubs all over the country. The business of
farming is challenging the whole world today,
said the speaker. Where are the young men
of Waldo county to stand? Will they allow
some one to take their place and the heritage
that is now theirs and which hundreds are
clamoring for. Farming as business offers
more opportunities than city life, both for the
laborer and the business farmer. No other
business ffers such good remuneration for so
large percentage of those engaged in it as
farming. Prof Monahan gave examples IL
Illustrating the most profitable lines for the
Maine poultry, potatoes, oats and
small fruit Four requisites are needed to
ensure the success of the farmer: euthusi-
I
ton; agricultural knowledge, and hard work
Clarence A. Day, agent in charge OF demon
strating in Washington county, the next
speaker and gave a practical address on
"Proftable Potato Growing" The long table
containing the potato exhibits was directly in
front of the platform and the boys in the
audience who raised them were attentive
. lieta ha uos bria to ho
point. Mr. Day began with the selection of
varieties for seed and of the location for plant
ing, preparing, dressing and cultivating, and
| told how and when to spray. The Boys Potato
Clubs of Waldo county will no doubt profit by
what MIR. Day told them and it will be shown
when the exhibits of next years crop are
ready.
At p. m. Prof. W. C. Monahan, specialist
in charge of Poultry Demonstrations Orono.
spoke on Poultry as Business in Maine"
and for nearly an hour held the close atten-
tion of the audience. To illustrate the com
parative value of poultry raising he said that
500 invested in cow would yield yearly $145;
sheep under like conditions, $1s7; a swine
$1e5. and q like amount invested in poultry,
/ Po4V III one year Hell pTOuuCeS lllNtS ueT
weight in dry matter. He spoke encouraging
ly of raising poultry side issue on every
farm and said that the old-fashioned general
farming is fast disappearing and specialized
farming is taking its place. While today the
| West is the center of poultry farming. New
England is coming to the front rapidly and
Maine is proving good State for this profit
able industry. He spoke at length on the
stock, the house, the feed and the manage
ment. Much depends on the breeding and
the stock. He made free use of figures in
illustrating his points and drew several dia-
grams of the proper houses for poultry. They
should have freedom from drafts, from damp
ness, should have good ventilation. plenty of
sunshine and fl or space. A hen wants lot
of dry air to make her happy enough to pro-
duce profitable amount of eggs.
The closing address of the afternoon was by
Mr.. Orlando E. Frost of Belfast, president of
the Waldo Trust Co. He is first, last and al
ways, the boys friend and is at his best in
speaking to children, and on this occasion was
eloquent, practical and sympathetic. He spoke
as an interested father might and as if all the
visitors were his sons. He said that Waldo
county is the best 748 square miles of terri
tory in the whole world for our homes. the