Page images
PDF
EPUB

than ever before, and thrce bushels of plaster applied, and six hundred bushels of oats raised from it. There have been good crops grown in my neighborhood. One neighbor raised from one acre, eighty-two bushels shelled corn, fifty-six pounds to the bushel. Another on one acre and twelve square rods, one hundred sixty-five bushels of ears. This was on interval land. Another broke up two acres interval land, and raised one hundred sixty bushels oats. This land is flowed, and where the water backs on, it leaves the surface covered with a black mud. People are becoming more impressed with the importance of manures, and although not much has been yet actually accomplished, decided improvement is manifest.

Mr. Baily of Sagadahoc thought that progress in agriculture could best be advanced by learning the right use and application of soils, manures and labor. Here is a great field for investigation and we need besides to disseminate among the mass of the farmers what a part know already. He alluded to a specimen of high farming in New Jersey, which he had witnessed, and which was very successful, yielding a profit of ten thousand dollars per annum. The owner attributed his success to a free use of manure. In the course of his remarks he advanced the idea that it was unnecessary to seed grass lands provided they were plowed deep and the proper fertilizing elements applied to the soil. [This proposition was controverted by Messrs. Hammatt, Cushman and others as being at variance with the experience of all practical farmers.]

Mr. B. spoke of increasing interest within the limits of the Sagadahoc society and of a greater demand for the secretary's reports, and for other agricultural reading than heretofore.

Mr. Lancaster of South Kennebec said that what is needed most is to overcome the prevailing indisposition to engage in farming pursuits. This has been already done to some extent. The popular idea that farming don't pay, has driven large numbers of our most intelligent and enterprising young men out of the business, until few except elderly men were left to carry it on. The stampede at one time was such that the advertising columns of our agricultural journals were filled with notices of farms for sale. This is not the case now. The current has changed. have been engaged in other pursuits.

it will pay.

People go into farming who They are beginning to find

In reference to his society he said that much improvement had been made in stock. Some opposition was manifested to the Jersey stock, but a change of opinion is taking place in regard to its value. It is now highly esteemed for dairy purposes. The Devon has been largely introduced, people like the idea of a uniform color for matching. The Durhams are in higher esteem generally than any other stock. My own preferences are for other breeds, believing that smaller and more compact stock, are more profitable than the overgrown. He was not in favor of large cattle for working purposes; he thought the experience at the late state fair demonstrated that smaller cattle were more efficient, active and useful.

Mr. Stackpole of West Penobscot, spoke of his society as flourishing. The territory is small, comprising only thirteen towns. It consists of two hundred eight members-receiving three hundred sixty-three dollars from all sources, and paying out for premiums two hundred fifty-eight dollars. Crops within the limits of the society have increased fifty per cent. Good crops of corn, potatoes and some kinds of grain-some of barley as high as fifty-seven bushels to the acre. Buckwheat is getting to be a valuable crop. We raise as large crops of corn, I think as in any part of the state, eighty bushels to the acre being not an uncommon crop, and sixty bushels are raised by most farmers who pay proper attention to its cultivation. Some of our corn crops received premiums at the state fair. Wheat is very uncertain with us. The midge and rust injure it so that it is not sown so much as a few years ago. Barley, oats and peas are valuable, and are raised by most farmers with success. We are extensively engaged in rearing stock. Horses are raised by many farmers, and I think we produce as good horses as can be found in any state in the Union, but in my opinion too many are raised for profit. There have been some good Short Horn and Devon cattle introduced, and great interest is taken in the improvement of stock. We have not kept so many sheep as we might, but. farmers are becoming convinced that they are very profitable, and will probably increase their flocks.

Dairies receive no special interest, but in this and also in some other respects we are sure of a better time coming.

Mr. Rice of West Oxford said the greatest want was suitable markets, and in this light regarded the increase of manufacturing in

Maine as the most certain and speedy method of assisting agriculture. Farmers lack capital, many go into the business of farming because they have not the means to go into anything else. Another disadvantage is, that we are unable to obtain manure in sufficient quantities. If it could be obtained we should be able to raise as large crops as any state in the Union. A different sentiment should be cultivated in regard to the profession of the farmer—he should be made to feel that his calling is laudable and honorable. He suggested the idea of so conducting the farm connected with the state reform school as to answer all the requirements of a model farm.*

Mr, Rice said the West Oxford society had purchased a lot and enclosed it, and last fall had a better show than ever before, and the society is now strong and prosperous. They have erected a building, and are nearly out of debt.

The Hungarian stock promises to excel any other that has ever been introduced in his vicinity. They are very hardy and thrive well on meadow hay. One two years old heifer, in two weeks made fifteen pounds of butter. The steers not as large as the Durham, but very hardy, and will prove superior in this respect to either the Durhams or Devons. It was imported by Mr. Cushing of Massachusetts, and introduced into the county by Mr. Pierce of Hiram.

Mr. Porter of Washington reported increasing interest and highly commendable progress among the farmers of his vicinity. More attention is paid to manures and composting them, to farm buildings and fences-new implements and improved stock.

Mr. Drummond of North Kennebec said his society had secured grounds, and located at Waterville, they were in debt for it and were making an effort to pay it. We have some full blood stock, and grades of various kinds. Sheep are increasing among us. There is an increasing interest manifested by our farmers in agricultural matters. This is greatly helped by the formation of farmers' clubs. These have had the effect to help all kinds of crops and to improve both our stock, soil and productions.

* The same idea was broached in the original draft of the report on Agricultural Education and elicited some discussion. The plan has been fully tried in Massachusetts during some years past and found unsatisfactory. The connection which has existed between the Board of Agriculture and the Reform School farm was dissolved last year to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Mr. Davis of North Somerset said the society he represented was in a healthy condition. At the last fair its show of neat stock surpassed any that he had ever seen, with one exception-the last state fair. The Durham cattle are favorites, with his neighbors, and it was lately thought the Hereford made a good cross, but he thought the Devon the best, all things considered. The Durhams are very large, and coarse limbed, and the Devon cross seems to make the handsomest, best built animal. The Ayrshires, he thought well of. The Devon seems a little undersized, but the Durhams are too large and they cannot stand our winters so well. He thought the Durham and Devon crossed, to be the best for northern Maine. There is a good deal of interest in sheep, a cross of the French and Spanish Merinos is deemed the best, the Cotswold are highly esteemed, although as yet the flocks are small. The society is doing much in various departments, especially in stock. We feel that the labors of the Board have accomplished great good.

Mr. Fuller of the Kennebec society, said that the increase of interest in his neighborhood has been very considerable. The farms and products are steadily improving in value. He alluded particularly to the orchards of the county. Farmers in Kennebec are raising from fifty to five hundred dollars a year in apples. He knew one man in Winthrop who raised last year two hundred barrels of russets, which will sell at three dollars per barrel. The stock of the county is improving. The general opinion is, that the Durham blood is essential to perfect stock. A cross between the Durham and Alderneys is better for dairies. On the whole the society is prospering.

Mr. Avery of Lincoln spoke of the improved condition of his society, and the increased interest felt in agriculture throughout the county. The people have been hitherto largely engaged in shipbuilding and limeburning, but the recent depression in these branches of industry has given a new impetus to agricultural pursuits. It has taught them the importance of relying more upon the cultivation of the soil, for the means of livelihood. They are now giving much attention to manuring, to the clearing up and reclaiming lands heretofore regarded as worthless, and which have in most instances rendered good returns for the labor expended on them. Grass is becoming a very important crop and more hay is raised and shipped

than is consumed. The fair last year was a good one, the show of stock unusually large and indicating a satisfactory improvement in breeds. In reply to a question of Mr. Flint, he said that wages to farm hands were from eight to twelve dollars per month. The experience of the best farmers in his section shows that it will pay in the long run to employ suitable help at the highest prices.

Mr. Flint of West Somerset, said his society, which is the oldest established in the county, had been distinguished for improvement in stock and sheep husbandry. The latter, especially, had been very earnestly prosecuted. The amount of wool raised exceeds that of any two counties in the state. As to cattle, Durham grades are preferred, especially for working purposes. Other breeds, perhaps the Devon and Hereford might be introduced to good advantage. The interest in horse raising has declined of late, not because good horses are valued less, but because the business had assumed an undue importance. It is a bad state of things, in a community, where horses are kept in flocks. and sheep not at all. A good degree of attention was devoted to labor saving implements and machinery. Sub-soiling as yet, had been little practiced, although, in his judgment it deserved great attention. The mower and harvester had been used, but failed in giving complete satisfaction owing to their heavy and cumbersome make. The annual show and fair was well attended, and was a good exhibition. Interesting addresses by Messrs. Lang and Sayward, were listened to by a large audience. The society has not received, heretofore, much profit pecuniarily from its shows their fields are open and their exhibitions free. This induces a large attendance of those who are really interested in agricultural matters, but little money is made by it. Measures have been taken to enclose grounds and establish a fee for admittance to future exhibitions, in order to replenish the treasury. He thought the policy, however, somewhat doubtful. The influence of this Board, and the reports of the secretary had been most salutary. Men of all pursuits sought for the reports and read them with great interest, and he believed a most desirable revolution in public sentiment, upon the subject of farming, will be the result of the knowledge thus acquired.

Mr. Stevens of North Aroostook, said his society has increased one hundred per cent. within the year. The county is admirable

« ՆախորդըՇարունակել »