The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1919-02-13
State Agricultural and Industri-
al League.

written about the conditions of agricul-
ture in Maine, but it has remained for
the State Agricultural and Industrial
| League, whose home office is in this city,
to ascertain from the farmers themselves
what In their opinion is needed to stimu-
late husbandry in this State.
The league recently began survey and
sent out QUESTIONABLE, a copy being
sent to one prominent farmer in every
town, he being selected with especial
view to his fitness to size up the condi-
lions in his locality. The questions re-
lated to many phases of town and COM
munity life and to the matters of live
stock, acreage and crop production.
Thus far responses have been received
from more than 200 agricultural towns
One of the most interesting features of
the survey is the list of greatest needs of
the towns, according to the judgment of
the farmers reporting. Greatest of all
the needs, as judged by these reports, is
better roads. On that point IS of the re-
ports agree. Next comes a call for better
school equipment and privileges. This need
was mentioned by 33. There are 40 calls
for more farm laborers, 20 for manufac-
turing plants, A cooperative buying and
selling, 20 for better marketing facilities,
23 for better CO. operation among farmers,
IA for the utilization of water powers, 10
better transportation facilities, 29 the
raising of more -blooded animals, "a
more livestock, 10 more sheep husbandry,
II the raising of more hogs, Il more
credit from the banks, 10 cheaper and
better fertilizers, IA steam and trolley
connections, 10 cheaper grain, 10 better
orcharding.
Some Of the needs suggested in the
line of farm management were: Better
farming, more farm improvements, more
farming and less working out, better
preparation of the ground, keeping strict
accounts of costs and receipts on the
farm, more system, greater acreage of
crops, Improvement of pastures, more
slos, more encoura cement in the raising
of crops, use of more lime on the land,
more up-t date farming, more faith,
confidence, energy and enthusiasm in
farming.
Ten mentioned organization as one of
the greatest needs of their town. One
specified the need of fruit growers as
ISOLATION, another I. village improvement
society, and two want to see farmers
union branches established in their towns.
Along educational lines four want ag-
ricultural instruction in their public
schools. Three need general instruction
in farming, while others suggested DEM
onstratlon, conferences, farming advisors
and more interest in advanced agricul-
ture. Eight said their towns need to
take more interest in boys and girls clubs;
one called for juvenile club leaders, one
for Y. M. c. A. gymnasium and one
for a clean entertainment for youth.
In the line of civic and social condi-
tons, nine urged the need of more public
spirit, three ''Something to keep the
young men on the FARMS" six more en-
terprising men to settle on farms; two
want lower taxes. The other needs in
this list include: Better living conditions,
better men to take care of the highways,
more summer tourists, more business
men on the farm, better training of iuve-
nile town wards, better mail service,
better ventilation of homes and public
halls, more united effort in civic better
ment, better social conditions, a more in
telligent management of town affairs,