The Republican journal., 1916-11-16
New England's
Biggest Problems.
0~. Lu.
Auburn, Maine
Rural Opportunities and Conditions


1.-The prosperity of the producer is de-
pendent upon the purchasing power of
the consumer. Commercial activity or
prosperity is dependent upon activity of
interchange and Accommodation.
increased production, increased con-
sumption and increased profits and in
creased wealth must come from increased
effectiveness of all the elements that en-
ter into production.
Increased effectiveness can only come
from advanced research and study ana
investigation and the adoption or appli-
cation OF all the highest practical methods
which trial, experiment and experience
establish to be good.
'The great West, and the great COM
mercial and industrial centers, which
have been tempting the New England
same comparative ease and comfort and
opportunity to those who have to live by
their own physical exertions, as they
once did. For all those rural opportuni-
ties are now equal and rural conditions
superior. When the new generation of
boys in rural New England understand
this, appreciate this, they will act ac-
cordingly, and we will see rural New
England keeping pace with industrial
New England and the pace will be one
| that will go far when once started, -
Theodore N. Vail at Springfield, Mass.
Anchor Your Farm.
The Federal Geological Survey is au-
thority for the statement that an aver
age OF nlnety-hve tons of soil and loose
rock are washed into the ocean every
! year from every square mile of territory
III the United States. The stupendous
amount of land washed away may be
realized when it is taken into considera-
ton that there are over 5000, 900 square
miles of land in this country. This loss
to the American farmer is gigantic, as it
is obvious that the soil carried away is
top soil-the richest in plantfood and
humus.
Is the best part of your farm being
gradually washed away year by year?
Do you allow the washes to develop into
gulies to further facilitate the robbing
of your soil? Have you failed to realize
that the muddy creek flowing through
your section is carrying a part of yours
and your neighbours farm away?-Verti
cal Farming.
Value and Results in Advertising.
have yet to hear of an advertiser who
has persistently, judiciously and intelli-
gently advertised for any considerable
length of time, and had supported that
advertising IN the proper conduct of his
business in other directions, who has not
succeeded. Loss through advertising is
largely due to inadequate support, indif
terent or useless extravaganza. Your
business, like your soil, must not be
robbed. 1t is law of nature that where
we receive much, we must give some
thing In return. Your soil will wear out
if you do not fertilize and properly care
for IL. Your business will run down if
you do not advertise and keep it in a
healthy state of cultivation. 1t is &C.
tlvity that causes growth and develop
ment; in fact, it is activity that makes
US strong. An active advertising cam
and strong. Frank B. White, Managing
Editor Agricultural Publishers Associa,
ton.
Orcharding in Maine.
The apple is the principal commercial
fruit of Maine. In 1910 there were three
and one-half million trees in bearing, a
decrease of one-half million trees in com
parison to the 1900 report. Better prices
for grain and orchard products have re-
suited during the last few years, especial
ly since the opening of many summer
reservations and summer homes in many
parts of Maine.
1t is estimated that the apple industry
is worth from So, 900, 900 to So, 900, 900 to
Maine annually. The increase of pests
and diseases and the lack of proper at
tention to the plantfood needs of the
trees are given as reasons for the de-
crease in orcharding. With better meth
DDS, such as are being advocated by the
Maine Experiment Station, the total
yield from Maine orchards will be great
ly increased.
One Thousand Tons of Hay
One thousand tons of hay have been
harvested during the past summer on the
farms owned by w. B. Kendall of Bow
dolnham, Maine,-an increase of one
third in yield over the preceding year.
Over $50 tons of selected clover hay will
be fed during the winter to Mr.. Kendall s
flock of 1,500 sheep.
The hay grown on the Kendall farms
was seeded during the past three to ten
years. Sheep manure was used as top
dressing on few of the fields, but COM
H]eTCldl leFllllZeTS were uSeQ prlnclpally
to supply plantfood for the bumper crop.
Favorable weather conditions, with plenty
of ram during May and June, are also
responsible for the large production of
hay in Maine and other New England
States.
The Work of the Bureau of Soils.
1.-The chief activities of the Bureau of
Soils of the U. S. Department. of Agr-
culture are the soil survey, fertilizer in-
vestigations and studies in soil physics
and soil chemistry" says Milton Whit
ney, Chief of the Bureau OF Soils, U. s.
Department of Agriculture.
1.-The influence of soils or topography
on agriculture is given, and the general
type and methods of farming are de-
scribed, including the equipment used,
the cultivation given the various crops,
the crop rotations practiced and the fer
tilizers applied. The size of the farms
and the value of farm land is given, and
reference is made to such subjects as
labor and tenure"