Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08

The first recognition made by the
State of its AGRICULTURAL interests ap-
pears to have been in 1882 when
certain agricultural societies were
established, and the first legislative
act creating a state organization for
the promotion of agriculture was
enacted in 1852 when a state board
of agriculture was authorized con-
sisting Of one member from each or
the incorporated agricultural socie-
ties, Members of this board were
paid by the State and were required
to choose the necessary officers. Be-
ginning with 1912, the State also
contributed toward the support of
the various agricultural societies an
amount not exceeding three hundred
dollars in any one county.
In 1856 the Legislature passed an
act creating q board of agriculture
consisting of one member from each
county. with an appropriation for
their expenses, not to exceed fifteen
hundred dollars in all. In 1881.
however, the personnel of the board
was again changed and the appro-
priation slightly increased. 1t was
the duty of :he board to meet once
during the year, choose officers, and
hear the reports of the various So
cieties which were printed collec-
lively as the report OF the secretary
of the state board.
This arrangement continued until
1880 when the board of agriculture
was enlarged to include the presi-
dent and professor of agriculture OF
the state college. The board was at
-. Of hn Cfaf a
House, and the first farmers insti-
tute work was authorized. A small
salary was allowed the secretary of
the board, and the expenses of the
members were paid by the State. At
this time also a stipend was allowed
the agricultural societies, not to eX-
coed one cent per inha bitant in each
county. Up to and including the
year 1890 we find the sames organ
ization, but at this time the appro-
priations made by the State began
to increase.
IN 1901 the Department of Agri-
culture was created with Commits
sioner as its head. Many duties were
also assigned this official. particu-
larly with regard to working with
the agricultural societies and con-
Quoting farmers institutes.
In 1908, the Importance of 'regd-
lating the sale of feeds was recog-
nized and an appropriation made for
that purpose. also one for the pro-
lection of trees and shrubs. and the
Commissioner was authorized to en-
ploy dairy expert and suitable as
sistants. In 1905 the Office of State
entomologist was created and the
Legislature of'that year directed the
Commissioner TO investigate the
manufacture and sale of dairy prod
ucts and their limitations. the appro-
priation being S172J0 outside of sal
aries. In 1909 the collection of ag-
ricultural statistics was first required
by statute and an extensive program
for the control of the Gypsy and
Brown Tail Moth was laid out and
placed under the direction of the
Commissioner of Agriculture.
In 1911 the first legislation regard
ing the inspection of weights and
measures was passed, and by this
time the Department had also been
instructed to take all necessary
measures for the enforcement of the
pure food laws in cooperation with
the Federal authorities.
In 1919 appropriations for the pro-
motion of horticulture and improved
methods of marketing made their
first appearance: in 1917 the Bureau