48 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tion is, will wc strive to iinder.>tand, and work in accordance 

 with, scientific principles, and so easily compass our desires, or 

 against them, and spen^ the sweat of the brow to little pur- 

 pose ? 



Prese?it condition and prospects of agriculture in Maine. 



In order to do justice to this subject, the indispensable ncces 

 sity of full and accurate agricultural statistics is perfectly obvi 

 ous at a glance. As almost nothing of the kind is in existence 

 and with a view to obtain as the most available substitute there 

 for, the matured opinions, and results of observation of our 

 best farmers, the following circular was sent to all the towns in 

 the State, in the hope of thus securing what might afford a more 

 reliable view of the agriculture of Maine than could otherwise 

 be had : 



Board of Agriculture, ) 



Secretary's Office, May 28, 1856, ] 



Dear Sir : — 1 desire to obtain from each town in the State, such 

 facts and statistics as will enable me to make a reliable statement of 

 the present condition of our Agriculture, and therefore earnestly and 

 respectfully solicit your aid. If not able to attend to the matter person- 

 ally, will you place this circular in the hands of some intelligent and 

 observing man who can and will do the cause of agricultural improve- 

 ment the service to answer the questions below, and to submit any 

 observations or suggestions which may be of value. 



All favors in this matter will be gratefully acknowledged. 



1. To what branch of Agriculture is your town naturally best 

 adapted ? The production of tilled crops, grazing, stock-growing, &c. 



2. What are the principal crops grown in your town } 



3. What are the chief products sold from the farms of your town? 



4. Arc the farmers of your town devoting special attention to any 

 particular branch of farming as a leading object, or pursuing a mixed 

 method of husbandry ? 



5. Does your town raise its own supply of breadstuffs — and if there 

 be any surplus please state of what it consists, and the amount. 



6. Is the cultivation of wheat increasing or diminishing ? 



7. What are the hindrances to its more extended cultivation? 



8. Has winter wheat been cultivated, and with what success ? 



9. Is the cultivation of Indian corn increasing or diminishing? 



