The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-24
8. +. Emerson Gives His Views

Al the annual meeting OF the Ho-
mona one of the questions that came
up for discussion vas What methods
can be adopted TO increase the re-
sources Of the farm SO much needed
the present year? 1t Is 70 be re-
allotted to this all-important subject,
owing TO other parts OF the program
that were under consideration and
took up the time wish especially
to call attention to the remarks Of
E. Davis Miller. have often heard
important agricultural subjects dis
cussed by Professors from the Uni
yersity at Orono, but without any fiat
terry or undue coloring ! wish to say
that the practical common-sense re-
marks of Bro. Miller, were far ahead
and of mere value to our farmers than
any instruction or advice which has
ever come this way from the State
University. Bro Miller called atten-
ton to the fact now so plainly evil
dent, that in recent years the farmers
have sadly neglected keeping up the
fertility of their farms by keeping
stock and depended instead upon the
purchase of artificial fertilizers Hay
has been sold when it should have
been fed to growing stock and dairY
cows. Because of the high price Of
veal calves they have been sold and
the farms suffer in consequence
Years ago our farmers raised large
of farm crops, yellow field corn, and
this was ground and fed to swine and
farm stock, increasing or keeping up
the fertility of the soil This was
the general method adopted on all
farms. Today this is an exception
and not the rule Where are the
reef animals. sheep young stock and
swine that should be here today? Only
in exceptionable cases are they here.
These all important resources of the
farm are constantly soaring in price
and the demand cannot be met. OF
what use have been the teachings of
the Grange. of the agricultural uni
yersities. of the boards Of agriculture,
of scientific instruction. when in the
face of all this we have the startling
intelligence come to us that in one
New England state alone, there are
$4,000 less dairy COWS than there were
% years ago; that New England does
rot produce one-half of the farm pro-
duets consumed within her borders
and a constantly increasing flow from
farm to village and city lite Bro.
Miller referred TO a journey he re-
Gently made thru the Provinces and
Canada and the large herds of dairy
COWS and other farm stock he noticed
in pastures on the route We do not
have such common sights here in New
England; sights that impress all low
ers of farm life and farm interests
with a large degree of satisfaction.
One of two things is certainly evident
All must fall in line and bend every
effort to get back to an increase OF all
resources of the farm and do it the
present year, or the consequences will
be sadly unfavorable to future pros
perty
The above are some OF my own
views but the very best were adyocat-
ed by Bro. Miller in his most instrue-
tive address.
In this article | wish to add some
views | take in regard to this ques
ton considered from a National stand
point Just now we hear SO much
about conservation of food supply
and a loud call for an increased pro-
duetion If l could have my way
every acre that Will be devoted 10 the
raising Of that useless and worst than
nothing product called tobacco. would
he made To produce corn and wheat
and other kinds of grain. thereby add
ing millions upon millions of bushels
OF the very products We need and
must have and eliminating from our
supply a product which is admitted 10
be entirely useless and bane to our
civilization In other words We
would be wisely utilizing the acreage
which in former years has been worse
than thrown away. to the production
of that which not only our own PEG
pie but the countrys Of the old world.
so much need
In order to increase the resources
Of the farm and practice economy
in that which We already have. let all
who possibly can get into the harness
and pull No need OF SO many COM
missions and boards and committees
and self-constituted ORGANIZATIONS
sending out lecturers To tell the PEG
pie what methods 10 adopt to save the
country. The people already know
and they also know that all of this
costs high and the expense must be
met from some source In every di-
rection the demand is for workers in