Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-17
way are in the ratio of about three to

way are in the ratio Of about three to
one.
Gypsy Moths.
1.-THE field agent for the gypsy moth
work has been Ed. J. Cady Of Port
land. Mr.. Cady has demonstrated his
capabilities again and again. and, as
a final proof, the United States author
tiles did not find a single new town In
fected with the gypsy moth during this
year. The federal authorities have
assisted us materially in the fighting OF
this pest, and especially in the breed
ing Of parasites. John Summers, from
the United States laboratory at Mel
rose Highlands, had charge OF the de-
partment laboratories at Deering dur
ing the season, and 20,535 Of the differ
ent parasites were located in different
parts of the state.
THE pest is worst in York county.
The other counties-those in the south
ern part Of the state, especially, are in
tested only in localities. They include
Cumberland, Sagadahoc and Lincoln.
The infestations in the other parts OF
the state are small and Of not much
consequence at the present time. 1t is
the hope Of this department that the
parasites will equal or exceed the ex-
pectations we entertain of them; ana
that they will establish themselves
where there are large colonies, and, IN
time. will follow and hold in subsection
this terrible pest. This, however, is
only a matter Of theory and it will
take years yet to determine whether
this will be true or not.
Brown-Tail Moths.
1.-THE state has been remarkably free
from brown-tail moths during 1915.
This is owing less to the parasite than
to local conditions. There were only
two areas, and these not Of any great
SIZE that were badly infested, that
were discovered during the spring OF
1915 One was in a section near Sc
bago lake and the other in the south
ern portion Of Sagadahoc and Lincoln
counties.
Bureau Of Inspection.
1.-THE Bureau of Inspection, under the
management Of A. M. G. Soule, has
taken several important steps that need
to be mentioned. One was the digging
out of the fertilizer situation which,
heretofore had been very much OBJ
scured and which had caused farmers
all over the state of Maine much un-
easiness. The situation has very much
improved during the year and it Is
perfectly safe guess that the fertilizer
manufacturers in the future will take
pains to see that their goods comply
with the law in every detail. We judge
it was not so much matter or dis
honesty as a matter of carelessness on
their part, but there is no doubt but
that they know now that the import
ance Of the fertilizer trade to the people
Of the state of Maine is recognized.
1T has been my good fortune to OBJ
tain the record of several transactions,
made outside of New England, in which
the sale of fertilizer, brand for brand
with the sale in Maine, showed de-
cidedly less price for the territory out
side Of New England. This should not
be allowed and the next legislature
should make it part of the registra-
ton that people in Maine shall be able
to purchase their goods as cheaply as
any state in the union, taking into con-
sideration the freight differential.
Active work in inspecting sardine
factories along the coast has been done
by Mr.. Soule, through his pure food
man, Louis Garcelon, in connection
with the federal inspector. These two
activities deserve special mention, be-
sides the other numerous inspections,
including the inspection Of drug stores,
grass seeds, insecticides, fungicides,
commercial feeding stuffs and the pure
food work, the inspection Of which was
conducted with it's usual vigor.
SEED IMPROVEMENT WORK
The seed improvement work this year
has been conducted by the assistant
dairy instructor, E. A. Rogers of
Brunswick. Mr.. Rogers has had lots
of experience along this line and has
proved himself to be a very efficient
man for this class Of work. There were
between 1900 and 100 acres which were
inspected by Mr.. Rogers and his assist
ants, and between 1900 and 1900 which
passed inspection.
THE corn, beans and oats were not
entered IN increased acreage, DIS III tIle
case Of the potatoes. There were, how
ever, fields entered of corn, beans and
oats. The work should be conducted
along lines that will make it possible
to keep this work going, inasmuch as
the quality of the seed is one Of the
determining factors whether the guam
tity planted yields a profit or loss.
Dairy Instructor.
THE dairy interests Of the state have
been under the direct charge Of j. H.
Blanchard of Auburn, the dairy in
structor. Mr.. Blanchard has taken a
very lively interest in this subject
which, added to his consummate ability
as an organizer and his untiring work,
has created a new interest in the keep
ing Of live stock, increasing the num-
Der Of COW test associations by more
than 100 per cent. The unfortunate
thing is that, after a COW test associ-
alton is formed, the work is too exact
ing for the price that is usually paid
and the tester unwillingly leaves his