X BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



part expended for the holding of County Farmers' Conven- 

 tions, the encouragement of the dairy industry, or for general 

 farm improvements, the matter being left in the hands of the 

 Trustees of the several societies to be expended by them in 

 such manner as they should deem would best meet the 

 demands of their several localities. 



An invitation having been extended by the citizens of 

 Presque Isle, Aroostook county, to hold the semi-annual 

 meeting in that place, the Board voted to accept such invita- 

 tion ; and to hold the coming annual meeting at Orono, 

 instead, as usual, of holding it in some other part of the 

 State, in order to comply with the statute in giving the 

 students of the college an opportunity to attend the lectures 

 and discussions before the Board. Favorable arrangements 

 having been made with the several railroad companies for 

 reduced rates of fare, the meeting at Presque Isle gave oppor- 

 tunity for a large farmers' excursion to Aroostook county, 

 which was taken advantage of by hundreds of farmers who 

 had not done so before, of visiting that new and fertile por- 

 tion of our State. The meetings of the Board were held in 

 Johnston Hall, and the address of welcome was given by 

 Edward Wiggin, Jr. of Maysville, formerly customs officer at 

 Fort Kent, and now President of the North Aroostook Agri- 

 cultural Society, responded to in appropriate terms by Presi- 

 dent Harris of the Board, and Rev. Dr. Allen of the State 

 College. An extract from the address of Mr. Wiggin is here 

 given : — 



"The means of social, religious, and intellectual cultui-e ai-e by no 

 means wanting in our midst. On hill-side and in valley, wherever even a 

 straggling settlement has been made, you will see the humble school- 

 house, the pride and hope of our people ; while here and there, vieing in 

 height with the lofty forest tree, which but a short time ago occupied its 

 site, tlie white spire of the village church points trustingly heavenward, 

 and shows that man is not unmindful of his God, or forgetful of liis re- 

 ligious obligations. Tliese remarks seem to be peculiarly appropriate to 

 your meeting in this new county. In the older portions of the State, 

 where your sessions are usually held, but little change comparatively is 

 seen from year to year. The forms Avere made and finished before scarce 

 a tree was cut in all this region. Here, large tracts of virgin forest are 

 yearly being cut down, and brought under cultivation, and all these fine 



