BECEETARY'S REPORT. 131 



for somewhat more than is absolutely necessary ; but to indulge 

 cattle in an excess of it when the thermometer is below zero, is 

 very expensive, in fact, grossly extravagant ; and when the matter 

 comes up for the farmer to decide upon in his own practice, whether 

 it be the better policy for him to warm his cattle in winter on beef- 

 tallow, (or what will make it) or on pine boards, plenty as these are 

 in the State of Maine, the question is believed to be one not very 

 difficult of solution. 



And this may remind us that there is often more of beneficence 

 in the arrangements of the All-Wise than we are apt to give credit 

 for. So many trees, so much timber as exists in our State, were 

 not made to grow here for nothing. There is deep meaning in it, 

 deeper by far than we have yet flithomed; and this topic of Suitable 

 Shelter is particularly commended to the thoughtful attention of 

 every grumbler at the dispensation of Providence which compels 

 him to feed his cattle at the end of the pitchfork for half the year. 



Another question was : Can hired labor be profitably employed in 

 farming operations, at present prices of labor and produce % Upon 

 which point it is somewhat remarkable, that although the replies are 

 divided about equally, half being of an affirmative and half of a 

 negative character, an analysis and comparison of such as do more 

 than simply affirm or deny, show a substantial agreement of opinion. 

 It is deemed advisable to quote several of these, as the suggestions 

 thereby presented may be of more profit than any generalizations 

 which could be drawn from them : 



" It cannot under present system of farming." 



D. J. Fisher, Charlotte. 



Under judicious management it can." 



S. N. Watson, Fayette. 



" Few can make it pay." 



G. H. Andrews, Monmouth. 



" All hired labor does not pay, but it can be mads to." 



J. C. Blanchard, Searsport. 



" It pays well here — high prices, good conveyance, and cash markets, do 



wonders for farming." 



Wm. Burns, New Gloucester. 



[New Gloucester, it will be borne in mind, is on the line of the Atlantic and 



St. Lawrence Railroad.] 



