Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-08
Maine Keeps
Step in Matter
of Agriculture

The Maine farmer-he who more
than three centuries ago landed on
the Maine coast and proceeded to
make a living for himself in his new
surroundings-sym the Ststs
of Maine.
Agriculture, the great basic In.
dustry of Maine, her chief asset. COR
stitutes background for the Opera.
ton of the activities of the State.
The early farms were community
affairs. 1t was necessary that oil
the people Of the little settlements
which marked the beginning Of the
State should have food. and the pro-
ducts of the soil. regardless Of whose
labor was employed in the raising
of crops. were put together in one
storehouse to be used by every one
alike.
Early agriculture was not great
success. The pioneers knew but lit.
tie of the science and practice OF
agriculture. and this lack Of knowi'
edge together with the crude imple-
ments employed and the character
of the soil in many places. did not
help assure a surplus of food. From
the Incians, however, the settlers
gradually learned.
Individual farms soon began to
be cleared out of the wilderness
great deal Of hard labor was en-.
tailed in these clearings. No easy
task was it to prepare the grouno
for planting, even after the trees
were removed and the land burned
over to prevent the stumps from
sprouting. In a great many LOCALE
ties the soil was intermingled Win
boulders and smaller rocks, and IN
the stone fences Of today. marking
the boundary lines of many farms.
is. the evidence of the hard toll OF
those days of digging out these rocO
and carrying them away.
Most OF the farms were small an0
the labor performed by hand. Inc
owner and his immediate family
worked to produce food primary
for their own sustenance. AS tne
population became more concen'
trated, however, there came =
change I'm the character of the agrl'
cultural industry. The farmer %.
gan to raise products for nearby
markets. instead of primarily for M
own use. The railroads came VIII
an increasing demand for products
in larger centers and the market ol
the Maine farmer increased. .oa
There are approximately oO.WW
farms in Maine today. A great o..
versity of soil structure Is to %
found on them, ranging from sanoy'
some very rocky and ledge-strewn'
gravelly, some clay, some deep loan
and some very rich white mari. Ins
unusual variety of the soil fits tns
State to produce any crop suitaD,.
for a temperate climate, and ong
in California Is the output more Oh
versified.
In the Kennebec Valley may %
found this diversity OF soil. In ~
rolling and somewhat hilly topos.
raphy Is found excellent grams
land for live stock. Particularly
the soil adapted to the raising u
potatoes. Small fruits, too, aN
grown abundantly in the Valley -
in entire Central Maine. some par
ticularly fine orchards being IN s"'
dence.
Many organizations are maintains
ed for promoting the agriculture
interests of the State. The Patron
of Husbandry, or the grange
whose members are scattersp
through every section Of the Stat~s
is a powerful agency in raral COM
munity and agricultural life. Farm
ers' Unions, Fruit Growers EA'
changes and Milk Producer Assoclas
tons. dealing effectively with mar
keting problems. IA
BY the spreading of valuable ~.
formation, in experimental wors
and giving supervision to man.
things of vital Importance to Mann
agriculture, the State Department ..
Agriculture is rendering invaluaDN
assistance to farmers throughout ths
State. Organized Boys and Gfrs
clubs carry on projects in Agriculture
and canning. Extension work. uno.
err the direction of expert agents
being carried on in most OF the couh.s
ties. State and county fairs, one ..
Names great institutions, primafnA
promote interest in agriculture.