Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-01-19
Maine ACR|CuLT URE IS NOT ON
DECLINE IN SPITE OF PRESENT
CONDITIONS, WORD WASHBURN

we continue to bring increasing
quantities of western butter and
cheese into New England.
Apples are selling at fair prices
with better in prospect. The past
canning season was a favorable one
for both growers and packers OF
corn, beans and peas, and the poul-
try business Is in most fiourishing
condition, helped, no doubt, by the
plan of organization
lately adopted by it's producers.
Farmers Not Quitting
"Since the volume Of our potatoes.
hay and raw milk SO far exceeds
that of the products that are finding
q ready and profitable market, it fol-
lows that the average income of our
farms has been somewhat reduced
during the past year, but 1t should
not be inferred from this that our
farmers have reached the quitting
stage or anywhere near it.
"Discouraging agricultural condi-
tons are not peculiar to Maine and
may be found in many other sec
tons of the country except perhaps
the grain producing states. which are
ENJOYING a temporary prosperity aft
err several very hard years.
The South complains of it's boil
wevil and the exodus of negro la
Dor. Texas and California have
lately suffered severely from foot
and mouth disease. Pacific coast or
chardists have received less per
bushel for their apples by at least
% cents than is paid right -,ere in
Maine. Practically all agricultural
sections of the country have their
own discouragements and disasters.
Cooperative Effort
Much may lie done through CO.
operative effort on the part of far
mers to improve the agricultural
situation in Maine, particularly in
the marketing of their products. Co.
operative marketing does not bring
advantages to the producer alone,
but to the consumer also benefits
in the quality of the product sup
piled. The individual farmer has
little concern over the satisfaction of
the consumer unless he is associat-
ed with hundreds of other produc-
ers, shipping at regular intervals
under a trade mark directed by a
competent sales manager.
"Something can also be accom-
plished through creating demand
for Maine products on the part of
our own people. If we constantly de-
mand Maine apples on our trains
and in the hotels and fruit markets
of the State we shall sooner or later
find them supplied for us. Frequen.
inquiry for Maine canned goods in
our stores would create fresh de-
mand for Maine grown vegetables
and insistence upon good Maine bat
ter and fresh Maine milk in our
homes in place of western l4anu-
featured or canned products would
go far toward Strengthening our
dairy industry.
The proposed plans for advertis-
ing our State and it's resources ii
carried out cannot fail to react ia.
vorably upon its agriculture. New
Industries will mean additional
mouths to be fed and any increase
in the summer business will afford
rev outlets for our agricultural
products. We have thousands OF
small farms unsuited to the opera
tons of modern farming that may
we'll be turned into summer homes
without any great loss in our agri-
cultural strength.
Our abandoned farm problem
Ahi6iAt AloO NC ISlCtCo III lIliUIlei
by applying the principles of re-
forestation advocated. by our for
estry experts. Many Of these farms
have been abandoned because they
could never be farmed at a profit;
small, remote from market and the
advantages of modern living, they
might be considered in the light OF
timber possibilities rather tan as
neglected farm resources.
Quality of Products
Again we must give particular
attention to the quality Of our pro
ducts produced and offered for sale
There will always be a market for
fancy eating apples, No. l hay and
canned gooGs. Pure-bred, disease
free livestock will meet a demand ;.s
will our quality seed potatoes and
grain. 1t is upon the poorer ungrad-
ed classes of farm produce that the
losses are usually realized.
Everything possible should be
; done to promote the better feeling
and understanding that is creeping
into the relation between farmer.
and town and business people. The
interest displayed by business an(
professional men, bankers, manu-
facturers and town and city people
in general in the affairs of the ru.