The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-05-19
AGENT
STORER EXPLAINS
Farm Bureau Accomplishments in
Somerset County During
Year OF 1920

Tie following explanations and ac-
complsbments of the Farm Bureau in
Somerset County during 1920 have
been made public by Clayton a Storer
the courteous agricultural agent OF
Somerset.
There are erroneous ideas afloat re-
garding the function of the farm bur-
can. To clear the atmosphere of a
mist il should be understood that the
farm bureau is not buying or a
selling agency, as supposed by some.
The function of the farm bureau in
Maine is 10 do extension work in the
various counties Of the state Extern
S on work is the connecting link be-
tween the L. $. Department of Agri-
culture. tie University of Maine and
the farmer
Here in Maine where we have far
mers unions. milk producers associ-
atoms, sweet corn growers associat-
ions. fruit growers associations. wool
growers associations and other farm
agencies. the buying and selling field
is well cultivated. New England is
we'll supplied with such agencies.
To give the uniformed reader an
idea OF the work of the farm bureau
in Somerset County, a brief review OF
some Of the work of the farm bureau
during 1920 is given in the following
paragraphs.
Best sources of seed were located
both locally and outside the county.
This information was given to the
Tn finf IN oh If orb
with the result that 1870 acres We're
sowed To improved oats and 50 acres
were planted to improved silage corn.
One hundred and twenty account
books were placed i'm the hands of in
torested farmers. or this number six
ty-one were sweet corn cost account
books. Twenty-three Of these books
were kept to completion and sum-
married. at the end of the crop year.
Kennebec County is the only county in
Maine that hod more of the sweet corn
books kept than Somerset. Penob-
scot was third with 49,
Preferred railway service was Sc
cured on two cars fertilizer. one car
chemicals. and three cars lime during
the freight congestion period of the
spring of 1920.
Ten poultry cullng demonstrations
we're held during 1920. with the fol-
lowing results: attendance, III; total
number OF birds in culled hocks, Sal !;
total number of birds culled out 207;
number Of eggs laid for a week be-
fore cnliing by l73 hens was S7S;
number of eggs laid by 252 good rens
after calling. 752; number of eggs
laid by IL culls for a week after
culling, "a.
Four hundred twenty-four boys and
girls were enrolled in club work
during 1920. Somerset was second
only to Aroostook in club enrolment.
Two hundred twenty-eight club mem
bers completed their projects, which
number was thirty-nine more than
any other county in the state.
Farmers interested in feeding bal
anced rations saved 25c to soc per
hundred pounds on their feed bills by
feeding the rations prescribed by the
farm bureau.
Thrty-fye acres of mustard and
kale were sprayed to eradicate these
weeds Where done at the proper
tine kill of 90 per cent. was re-
ported.
Six orchard pruning demonstrate
ions and one spraying demonstration
were held during 1920.
Thirteen dairy feeding meetings
were held
Each year the farm bureau has a
plan Of work to follow. every farm
bureau member may have voice in
the work to be done in his community
during the year.