1/2 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



Wednesday^ December 3. 



BUSINESS MEETING OF MAINE SEED IMPROVE- 

 MENT ASSOCIATION. 



ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT. 



W. G. HUNTON. 



The result of our labors for the growing season of 19 13 is 

 history today and we have gathered here from all sections of 

 the state, to compare results, exchange experiences and accept 

 advice. No true farmer was ever satisfied with his own ac- 

 complishment. He firmly believes that with each improvement 

 in crop methods there is still opportunity for advancement. 

 Nature has set no limit to her resources. Within half a cen- 

 tury I have heard it claimed by men well educated by experi- 

 ence and of more than average ability in intellect, that 100 

 bushels of dry shelled corn per acre and a cow that could pro- 

 duce 500 pounds of butter, were the limit. Today this has 

 been so far exceeded that we are not willing to prophesy in 

 regard to the limit which can be reached. The climatic condi- 

 tions of each growing season are beyond our control. All 

 other conditions are those which make us responsible personally 

 for the abundance of our harvest. Improved machinery and 

 thoroughness in cultivation have become established facts. 

 Without them we do not expect rewards ; but there is much to 

 be learned in the better feeding of our crops and in seed selec- 

 tion. We are all agreed upon this. It was this prevailing 

 thought in the minds of all the progressive farmers of the 

 state that led to the inception and organization of this asso- 

 ciation four years ago and influenced the legislature to appro- 

 priate money and enable us to show results. While the.-e 

 results have not been as marked and far reaching as perhap.-> 

 many of us at first expected, let us remember that pioneer 



