Daily Kennebec journal., 1925-06-27
A FORWARD STEP
ELECTR|F|CATI0N
ON THE FARMS


Important steps toward the solu-
tion of rural electrification problems
in Maine were taken at a conference
of agricultural leaders at Augusta,
Thursday afternoon Of this week,
with w. 8. Wyman, president of
Central Maine Power Company. The
conference was herd in Mr.. Wyman's
Office.
In response to an invitation from
]. w. Leland, agent for rural line
extensions of Central Maine Power
Company, the conference of state
wide leaders gathered to consider
the possibilities for the profitable
use Of electric current in Maine ag-
ricultural operations. At the meet
ing it was the expression of opinion
that the relative cost of construct
ing power lines in sparsely popu-
lated rural districts generally pro-
hibited line extensions to farming
communities for lighting service
alone. The conference favored a
detailed study of the economic pos
sibilities of applying the use of cleo
trio current to many phases of farm
work.
Possibilities for the use of cleo
trio current other than lighting on
Maine farms, which are to be in
vestigated by members of the con-
ference, were suggested as follows:
the operation of water systems,
milking machines, cream separators,
power for the farm workshop, poul-
try raising, and relieving the drudg-
cry of housework. M. d. Jones.
Farm Management Specialist of the
College of Agriculture, Orono, and
]. w. Leland were designated as a
committee to make a careful sur
vey of the extent to which homes
in Maine rural communities are al
ready using electricity along the
suggested lines, and the further pos
sibilities for it's profitable applica-
ton.
DIR. w. j. Morse, Director of the
Maine Agricultural Experiment Sta
ton, stated that, should the propo-
sition meet the approval of the Fed
eral Department of Agriculture, the
Maine station will be glad to CO.
operate in the establishment of an
experimental rural line for scien-
tific observation of the economic
uses of electric current in agricul-
tural operations.
The funds possibly available for
the study Of the economic phases of
rural electrification in Maine are
afforded by the Purnell Bill, passed
by the last Congress. providing ad-
ditional funds to experiment sta
scientific investigation of agricul-
tural economics. It is the opinion
of those connected with the Maine
station that these additional funds
in Maine could be used advantage
ously for the purpose expressed in
the conference. Although much
data is available in reports of SINH
lar Investigations in other states,
those present were of the opinion
that exceptional conditions required
special investigation in Maine.
Agricultural leaders attending the
conference with w. S. Wyman, pres
ident of Central Maine Power COM
pany, were: DR.. Leon S. Merrill,
Dean of the College of Agriculture.
Orono: DIR. w. J. Morse, Director
of the Maine Agricultural EXperi-
ment Station; M. d. Jones. Farm
Management Specialist of the Col
lege Of Agriculture Extension Serv-
ice; F. p. Washburn, Commissioners
OF Agriculture; l.. E. McIntire of
East Waterford, member of Execu-
tive Committee Of the Maine State
Grange; E. B. Lord of West Leb-
anon, president of Farm Bureau
Federation, and w. G.. Hunton of
Portland, industrial and agricultural
agent of the Maine Central Railroad.
The last four constitute the men,
bers of the executive committee of
the Maine Federation of Agricul-
tural Associations, of which j. w.
Leland is president.
w. 8. Wymah, DR.. L. s. Merrill
and DR.. I. w. Morse assured the
whole-hearted cooperation of their
respective organizations to the pro-
gram to which they were unani-
mously committed.