Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-11-11

order that the board might be nom
partisan, DR.. Smith proposed that pro-
vision be made that not more than
four members of the board be Of one
political party. He suggested that the
commissioner should have full power
to appoint the subordinate members
of his staff. DR.. Smith suggested that
If such a plan was adopted 1t could
not go into effect in the term Of the
next commissioner, but the law pro-
viding for it could be passed by the
Legislature.
... Charles r. .FIasg.
Charles F. Flagg in interesting re-
marks compared the manufacturing
and agricultural resources Of the State
of Maine, the manufacturing products
according to the last census aggre-
eating $55.O00,000. and the agricultural
between $5O,000,000 and $60.000.000
He stated that there could not be a
healthy growth in the cities without
growth in the rural communities. The
Boys Corn Club, which will come to
Portland next week. with its following
Of go boys, was referred to as q splen-
did way of emphasizing the possibili-
ties of the agriculture of Maine. He
stated that even If there were but q.
few successful farmers in the State
it would demonstrate what can be done
in agriculture, but there are many, he
added. He urged better UNDER
standing of what the agricultural
agencies are doing for the State. and
whether the Portland Farmers Club
can be Of assistance in furthering the
ne
of markets, and the work of the State
Grange were suggested as possible
subjects for consideration.
That owing to methods and finances
farming in Maine could not be- marked
successful was the suggestion Of DR..
John F. Thompson, and he facetiously
added that five barrels of potatoes will
flood the Portland market and five
barrels of tomatoes will swamp 1t. He
expressed as his feeling that Maine
was a manufacturing State and that
the destiny of the State lies in its
manufacturing. He spoke of farm dem
onstratfon plots that he had seen In
Vermont towns Of from 1000 to 1900
population. these being conducted in
the villages and marked with the name
of the persons conducting them. These
give suggestions to farmers Of what
can be done.
George S. Hobbs suggested among
other things sales bureaus for the sale
of agricultural products SO that the
farmers could get the best returns for
their products. He referred to the
farmers union as a step in this direc-
ton, but expressed the feeling that
~ <ohn of
the problem. He felt that such plan
would do more foD the agriculture of
the State than anything else. He quot
ed a friend in central Maine as saying
that the need is to fill up the country
with people. Mr. Hobbs added that the
benefit of life on the farm must be
shown and the satisfaction Of growing
things must be demonstrated. He
quoted a Bangor man as saying that
the State is in a position to have de-
velopment that would be mark all
over the country.
John p. Buckley.
Former Commissioner of Agriculture
John p. Buckley, Of Westbrook spoke
of the references made to the farmers
bows leaving the farmers, and he asked
how long the merchants Of this city
would remain in business II to do so
meant a loss. The farmer gets IS
cents out of the consumers dollar, he
said. and there Is a waste somewhere
or he would get mors, This waste
should he avoided andth farmer get
his share. There are 100000 acres
available for agriculture in the State
and about one-fifth Of It is under cul-
tivation. A total Of 100000 tons Of
fertilizer is purchased by the farmers.
The whole question Of making money
is at stake. and it cannot be expected
that the boys and girls VIII want 70
ran,a;n on the farm when they cannot
make the money they should on the
farm.
!. Henry Rines referred to the fact
that there are 5000 farms in the State.
and added that many of the farmers
need advice. He referred to the Aroos-
took farmer ~ getting results. He