Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-04

, Legislature asking for some form of
license for bottling establishments.
This is exactly what has been urged
and recommended in previous reports
Of this division"
After reporting on the work OF
inspecting food factories, drug and
fertilizer inspection, the work of the
bureau of weights and measures and
the bureau of apple inspection, Mr..
Soule points out in SUMMARY that
there are many conditions that
need remedying. The county
slaughter house and the lact of in
spection therein is to be greatly de-
plored. Before the ideal can be
realized, it is our belief that more
legislation is necessary.
Under section 30. chapter 80, of
the Revised Statutes, that is. a part
OF the statute under which this bur-
eau is authorized to work. authority
Is given the Commissioner OF Agri-
culture to make uniform rules. and
regulations and fix standards OF
purity, quality and strength, when
standards are not specified or fixed
by law concerning seeds, feeds, ferti-
liZerS, foods, drugs, and SO on. This
recommendation is made: That the
portunity offered be improved. The
food standards have in no way been
altered since the administration of
the law was transferred from the
experiment station to the State de-
partment, although from time to
time they have been re-published
over your signature. as authority for
their use, and the standards pro-
mulgated by a. previous administra-
tor have been adopted as a whole.
Some changes. however. are neces-
sary, and new printing of these
regulations should be made at the
earliest opportunity"
Report of COmm'r. Washburn
The biennial report of State Com
missioner of Agriculture Frank P.
Washburn contains several para
graphs deploring the fact that a
great many so-called agricultural
fairs in Maine pay too much atten-
ton to amusementS and too little to
agriculture and suggesting that the
day Is not far distant when a limit
will be placed upon the number of
fairs that may receive State aid.
Fifty-three fairs were held last
year, and Commissioner Washburn
says this number will be slightly in
creased this year. From tabulations
made in 1923 for the first time, of
fair statistics, it was found that the
total attendance was 3S0,021 persons
and that $70.735.00 was paid in
premiums. The value of all property
belonging to agricultural associa-
lions is $506, 434.O0 and their liabili-
ties amount to $137 $500.
Contemplation of. these figures
reveals some unsatisfactory condi-
tions," remarks Commissioner
Washbufn; the bounty of the State
In the form of stipend to agricul-
tural societies is offered as an en-
enlargement to agriculture. Too lit
tie attention is paid by these socie-
ties to agricultural features and too
much to amusements and attractions
that do not promote agriculture"
He declares that the entire amount
paid by more than 80 Maine fairs in
1873 as premiums on fruits and
vegetables was less than that paid by
| ono fair in Massachusetts and that
tho total premiums on dairy pro-
| ducts was only 1924.
Too Many Weak Fairs
"Unquestionably we have too
many small. weak fairs" says Mr..
Washburn, land the time may be
near at hand when we shall serious
ly consider limiting the number of
fairs that receive State aid to one or
two for each county. such fairs to
be more closely under State super
vision and to receive a more sub
stantial stipend. In general the three
State fairs and the larger local So
cieties have done excellent work and
accomplished much for the cause of
| agriculture"
Discussing Maine agricultural con-
ditions generally Commissioner
Washburn believes 'it should prove
cause for satisfaction among all
classes of our citizens that the Maine
farmer has met the unusual burdens
and disbursements OF the past five
years with so much spirit and cour-
age. He has proven himself to be
no pessimist but with brave and
earnest purpose he still looks to the