Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-06

tlon 10 tnose productions which our
people need for food.
"The state needs more high-bred
animals OF individual merit, animals
that will produce meat or milk at the
smallest cost, animals that can trans
NIT this power of economical produc
ton to their Off spring. There are
many breeders associations in the
State. l will have to say that too
many Of them have become indiffer-
ent. and not doing what they are in
duty bound to do to breed in the state
and introduce from out of the state
more animals Of high merit
Under the State Land Loan law
which became operative on the first Of
January. money may be obtained from
the State for the purchase Of high-class
animals, at five per cent interest, on
giving satisfactory first mortgage Sc
the way for farmers desiring better
stock and are without capital to Sc
cure such animals as they want.
| Dairy interests
The State has now about 10000
mich cows and 10000 other cattle,
mostly hefers. During the year end
ing April l, 1917 there was an increase
o. 5000. While the increase is not
large, it is movement in the right di
rection. Dairymen are breeding a
higher class of animals and are CIV
| ing much more attention to economical
| feeding. The price of milk failed to
| keep pace with the constantly rising
cost of grain feeds until the situation
! became desperate. Whereupon, the
New England Milk Producers Associ-
alton was re- organized throughout
1 New England. The organization in
this State was aided in a large meas
ure by members of this department.
There are now 100 locals. with a men,
bership Of several thousand. BY CO.
operative work. the price Of milk has
been lifted to point somewhere near
! its cost
"Dairying is the most important
farm industry in the state. 1t pro-
vides work and means of support for
many thousands of our worthy citizens.
Its products are an absolute neceSs-
lity If there is any industry that
ought to ne encouraged and supported
by the state. it is this same industry.
The producers of milk ask only small
profit above the cost Of production.
They must have it, OF the business will
decline.
! Swine
THE number Of swine has decreased
i'll the last five years. The main cause
for the decrease is the sale Of milk.
Formerly, the cream was sold and the
milk was fed at home. The high price
of pork is leading many to return to
the business and the movement is
strengthened by the introduction Of
self feeders.
Sheep
For the year ending April ], 1917,
the number of sheep in the State
showed an increase of about four per
cent, according to reports Of town as
SCISSORS The high price of wool and
mutton is leading to renewed activity
in the sheep industry over the whole
eastern and northern sections Of the
country. Sheep are now too high in
price for farmers to buy many. One
would better begin with few and
work up. Eve. sheep and lambs fit
for breeding should not be sold for
meat Such might be collected at
centers and auctioned, probably at
good prices The bad dog is a great
hindrance to sheep raising. The pres
ent law should he amended to protect
good dogs, as we'll as sheep. and to
bring to summary punishment dogs
that prey upon sheep and other do
nestle animals"