xii BOARD or AGRICULTURE. 



for the professions, and paid too little attention to the work of fitting 

 youth for the actual duties of life ; and tlie consequence is, that the pro- 

 fessions are crowded to repletion; and though, as Daniel Webster well 

 said, ''there is always room higlier up," yet there is but here and there 

 one who is capable of reaching or filling those elevated positions, while 

 we see all around us men educated in our highest institutions, men who 

 have a diploma of some college in their pockets, who are utterly incapable 

 of making a living for themselves, for tlie sole reason that they have never 

 been taught to do anything, ■^^1lile this is the case, thousands of broad 

 and fertile acres are lying tenantless, and awaiting cultivation, which are 

 capable of aff'ordiug ample subsistence to the many who are out of em- 

 pfoyment and unable to support themselves, too many of whom have 

 been rendered so by this sad defect in our educational system. 



This defect, gentlemen, we think, it is largely in your power to remedy. 

 N'ot, of course, directly and immediately, but by your influence in help- 

 ing to mould public opinion in this direction, and thus gradually to bring 

 about the much needed change. And we rejoice that your Board is com- 

 posed of men of large, generous and practical ideas upon these and kin- 

 dred subjects, and we are assured tliat your laboi's are being attended 

 with increased success, as the reports and discussions and papers brought 

 forward at yonr sessions are more generally circulated and read by the 

 people of the State." 



At one of the business meetings of the Board during this 

 session the members made their usual report on the crops in 

 their respected counties, which are given herewith. 



Washington. (Dr. A. R. Lincoln.) The hay crop was 

 about two-thirds the usual yield, the absence of rain in May 

 injuring the crop. Grain crops were excellent. A large 

 amount of wheat was sown and the yield promises to be 

 heavy. Potatoes rotted badly after being planted, (the seed) 

 many being obliged to plant their fields the second time. 

 The yield was good. 



Piscataquis. (H. L. Leland.) The hay crop was one- 

 fourth larger than the average, and secured in excellent con- 

 dition. An increased acreage of wheat was sown throughout 

 the county, the yield of early sown being good, but late sown 

 was injured by the rust. The breadth of corn was increased 

 over previous years, and the yield was above the average. 

 Not as many potatoes were planted as usual, and the yield 

 was lessened about one-half through the effects of rust. There 

 was one of the largest apple crops ever known in the county. 



