USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire agriculture : personal and farm sketches > Part 2
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
State Grange) either at the beach or the lakeside, and a general two days' winter meeting, which has also for some years been in connection with that of the Granite State Dairymen's association, at both of which able speakers are heard upon subjects of general or special importance.
The names of the gentlemen who have served for greater or less periods of time as members of the board since its institution in 1870, are as follows, the same being arranged by counties :
Rockingham county-J. Frank Lawrence, Epping ; John M. Weare, Seabrook ; William H. Hills, Plaistow ; John D. Lyman, Exeter. Mr. Lyman has served con- tinuously since January 28, 1885.
Strafford county-Charles Jones, Milton ; Hiram R. Roberts, Rollinsford; Joshua B. Smith, Durham ; Albert DeMerritt, Durham; Lucien Thompson, Dur- ham ; James M. Hayes, Dover. Mr. Jones resigned shortly after the organization of the board, and was suc- ceeded by Judge Roberts, who served five years. Mr. Hayes, the present member, has served since September, 1892.
Belknap county-Thomas J. Whipple, Laconia ; Thomas Cogswell, Gilmanton ; Jeremiah W. Sanborn, Gilmanton ; Charles W. Hackett, Belmont ; George S. Philbrick, Tilton ; George H. Wadleigh, Tilton. Col. Whipple never served, and Mr. Cogswell was soon appointed in his place, resigning in 1872, when Mr. Sanborn was appointed. Mr. Wadleigh, the present member, was appointed in November, 1894.
Carroll county-W. H. H. Mason, Moultonborough ; Samuel B. Shackford, Conway ; W. H. H. Mason, again ; Alonzo Towle, Freedom ; Charles B. Hoyt, Sandwich. Dr. Mason served six years the first, and nine years the second time, making a longer service
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STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
than that of any other member except Mr. Humphrey, while Dr. Towle served nine years, up to November, 1897, when Mr. Hoyt was appointed.
Merrimack county had but one member, Hon. Moses Humphrey of Concord, who has been the presiding officer of the board from the start, until the appointment, in November, 1897, of Hon. Joseph B. Walker of the same city, upon the completion of twenty-seven years' service by Mr. Humphrey, and his expressed desire to be relieved from further labor .* Mr. Walker, however,
* Moses Humphrey was born in Hingham, Mass., October 20, 1807. His edu- cational opportunities were limited, and his occupation in early life was that of a sailor, which he pursued so industriously and intelligently that he soon came to the command of a vessel. He followed the sea for some years, but finally engaged in the manufacture of mackerel kits, and, having invented certain improvements in the process, he established himself in business in that line at Croydon Flat, in this state, where he had visited relatives in youth, and found a wife. Here he remained several years, until, in 1851, he removed to Concord, establishing his manufactory at West Concord, where he con- tinued to carry on the work for some time, meanwhile engaging to a consider- able extent in agriculture, making many experiments, and taking special in- terest in corn culture, which, as he has always insisted, has been too greatly neglected by New Hampshire farmers. His theory is that New Hampshire can and should produce all the corn consumed within its borders, and that it can be done with profit to those directly concerned.
Taking a strong interest in matters of public concern, Mr. Humphrey was chosen a member of the common council of the city of Concord upon the es- tablishment of the city government in 1853, and the following year was presi- dent of that body. The next two years he was a member of the board of alder- men. In 1861 and 1862 he was Mayor of the city, a position of unusual respon- sibility from the multiplicity of important duties incident to the breaking out and prosecution of the Civil War, and again, in 1865, the closing year of the war, he was called to the same office. In 1857 and 1858, he was a member of the state legislature, and again in 1875 and 1876, rendering efficient service both terms. He was a member of the executive council of the state during the incumbeney of Gov. Onslow Stearns, in 1869 and 1870, and, upon the creation of the State Board of Agriculture, for whose establishment he had long labored, he was ap- pointed a member of the same for the county of Merrimack, and continued in that position, from term to term, for twenty-seven years, until November, 1897, serving continuously as president of the Board, and devoting much time and labor to the success of its work.
Mr. Humphrey initiated and carried out the work of building the Concord street railway, was its president and superintendent for many years, and effected the change to electricity as a motive power, and has been foremost in many movements and enterprises looking to the progress of his eity and state. In politics he has been an earnest Republican. In religion he is a Uni- versalist, and has long been prominent in his denomination in city, state, and nation. On the occurrence of his ninetieth birthday anniversary, he was hion- ored with a public reception in the State House at Concord, which was a marked demonstration of the high esteem in which he is held by the people.
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HON. MOSES HUMPHREY,
For Twenty-Seven Years President of the State Board of Agriculture.
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STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
has been one of the most valued speakers at the insti- tutes held by the board ever since its organization.
Hillsborough county-James O. Adams, Manchester ; B. F. Hutchinson, Milford ; D. H. Goodell, Antrim ; Joseph Farnum, Peterborough ; George A. Wason, New Boston ; Joseph A. Hall, Brookline; Herbert O. Hadley, Temple. Mr. Hall, who had served two years upon his second term, died in August, 1897, and Mr. Hadley was appointed in his place.
Cheshire county-Sampson W. Buffum, Winchester ; George K. Harvey, Surry; Jason S. Perry, Rindge ; Willard Bill, Jr., Westmoreland. Messrs. Harvey and Perry served nine years each. Mr. Bill was appointed in September, 1895.
Sullivan county-Edward H. Brown, Croydon ; John S. Walker, Claremont; Edmund Burke, Newport ; Hiram Parker, Lempster; Charles McDaniel, Spring- field ; Bela Graves, Unity ; William H. Sisson, Cornish. Mr. Brown resigned in December following his appoint- ment, and was succeeded by Mr. Walker. Messrs. Parker and McDaniel served two terms each. Mr. Sis- son was appointed in July, 1896.
Grafton county-Luther B. Hoskins, Lyman ; Charles F. Kingsbury, Lyme ; C. M. Tuttle, Littleton ; John E. Carr, North Haverhill ; Charles E. Swazey, Bethlehem ; George W. Mann, Benton ; Edward E. Bishop, Bethle- hem. Mr. Bishop was appointed in November, 1897, to succeed Mr. Mann, at the expiration of his second term, December 26, 1897.
Coös county-Nathan R. Perkins, Jefferson ; Horace F. Holton, Lancaster ; Barton G. Towne, Lancaster ; S. B. Whittemore, Colebrook ; F. P. Covell, Colebrook ; Osgood F. Covell, Colebrook; Joseph D. Howe, Lan- caster ; Loren J. Miner, Whitefield. Mr. Whittemore served longer than any other Coös member-from 1881 to! 1889: Mr. Miner was appointed in July 1896.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
Thus it appears that fifty-four different men have been appointed upon the Board of Agriculture since its estab- lishment, serving from a few months to the full period of twenty-seven years, each. A few of these have been lawyers, several doctors, some merchants, and manu- factures ; but the most have been farmers, and all, or nearly all, directly engaged in agriculture to some extent. Some have rendered little aid in the work of the board, but most have manifested strong interest, and rendered such service as time and ability made possible, while a number have been quite active and efficient in arranging and addressing meetings, and carrying out the general work of the board.
The original act establishing the Board of Agriculture, neither defined the duties of the secretary of the board, nor fixed his compensation, but left the board, itself, to do the former, and the governor and council the latter. But by an act approved July 3, 1872, the legislature pre- scribed at length and in detail, the duties of the secretary, making him indeed the executive officer or agent of the board, and practically putting its work into his hands, as well as extending the same materially beyond that origi- nally prescribed, and at the same time fixed his salary at $1,000 per annum. The revised Public Statutes of 1891 put the salary of the secretary at $1,500 per annum.
Mr. James O. Adams, of Manchester, who was the original Hillsborough county member, was elected secre- tary upon the organization of the board, and was con- tinued in that position until his death February 7, 1887. Mr. Adams was a ready writer, and an easy speaker, and contributed largely, both with pen and voice, to pro- mote the work of the organization.
Mr. Adams was succeeded by Nahum J. Bachelder of Andover, then secretary of the State Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, between which organization and the Board
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STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
of Agriculture the best friends of agricultural progress in the state had long felt it desirable to effect greater harmony and more perfect cooperation, which result was largely accomplished through Mr. Bachelder's appoint- ment to the position which he has since filled with great credit to himself, and to the complete satisfaction of the New Hampshire farmers and the public at large.
Since Mr. Bachelder's selection as secretary of the board the duties of the position have been materially increased through statutory enactments. The legisla- ture of 1889 enacted a measure authorizing the governor and council " to designate a person to collect necessary information in regard to the opportunities for developing the agricultural resources of the state through immigra- tion," and to cause the facts obtained and statement of the advantages offered, to be circulated as the governor and council might consider best, and appropriating $2,500, annually for the purpose. The governor and council designated the secretary of the State Board of Agriculture to attend to the work in question, and by the terms of the revised Public Statutes of 1891, he is specifically charged with that responsibility, the per- manent annual appropriation being reduced to $2,000. The secretary is also made, by the terms of the act establishing a state board of cattle commissioners, a member of that board, and a large share of the labor involved in carrying out the provisions of the law has devolved upon him. In both these important spheres of duty he has rendered zealous, faithful, and efficient service.
NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE GRANGE, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Of the many farmers' organizations brought into exist- ence in recent years for advancing the interests of hus- bandry, none have achieved so great success or assumed such a permanent character as the Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry. The foundation of the organization was laid in the city of Washington, D. C., by seven men, whose names have since become household words through- out the country. The names of these men, which are always spoken with reverence and respect, are, William Saunders, John Trimble, F. M. McDowell, J. R. Thompson, W. M. Ireland, O. H. Kelley, and A. B. Grosh. These men were connected with the agricultural department of the federal government, and thus had an opportunity of knowing the needs of the agricultural class, and realized the necessity of some organization, the work of which could be brought into closer contact with the farmers than was possible through a national or state department. After a thorough study of the ques- tion and widespread investigation, covering months of earnest and persistent work, the framework of the organ- ization was perfected, and submitted to the farmers of the country for an endorsement, on the fourth day of December, 1867. The men who have the honor of bring- ing the organization into existence, and who have the heartfelt gratitude of the farming class from Maine to California, lived to witness the grand result of their
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STATE GRANGE, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
efforts, and three still survive, including the present worthy secretary, John Trimble.
The farmers were somewhat suspicious at first of the new organization, and during the first year its progress was slow. Its practical qualities for advancing the inter- ests of the farmer and his family were appreciated as soon as understood, and Granges were organized with great rapidity throughout the length and breadth of the land.
The first State Grange was organized in Minnesota, February 23, 1869, and the second in Iowa, January 12, 1871. The movement did not reach New England as early as some other sections of the country. The first Grange in New Hampshire was organized at Exeter, August 19, 1873, known as Gilman Grange, No. I, with Hon. John D. Lyman, master. A meeting was held in Manchester, December 23 of the same year, for the pur- pose of organizing a State Grange. Fifteen of the seventeen subordinate Granges organized in New Hamp- shire previous to this date were represented at the meeting. T. A. Thompson, lecturer of the National Grange, pre- sided, and organized the New Hampshire State Grange, with the following officers :
Master-D. T. Chase, Claremont. Overseer-C. H. DeRochemont, Kingston. Lecturer-John D. Lyman, Exeter. Steward-L. T. Sanborn, Hampton Falls. Assistant Steward-I. A. Reed, Newport. Chaplain-J. F. Keyes, Ashland.
Treasurer-D. M. Clough, Canterbury.
Secretary-C. C. Shaw, Milford.
Gate-keeper-J. U. Prince, Amherst.
Ceres-Mrs. C. C. Shaw.
Pomona-Mrs. J. U. Prince.
Flora-Mrs. A. B. Tallant, East Concord.
Lady Assistant Steward-Mrs. L. T. Sanborn.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
Since the organization of the New Hampshire State Grange, two hundred and sixty-two subordinate Granges have been organized in the state, thirteen of which have been brought into existence during the year 1897. Two hundred and twenty-eight of the total number organized hold meetings regularly and are doing active work.
The first Pomona Grange was organized in New Hampshire in 1883, and the present number of Pomona Granges in the state is sixteen. The total membership of the subordinate Granges is about twenty thousand, there having been a net gain of about fifteen hun- dred during the present year, while the membership in the country at large reaches into the hundreds of thou- sands. The total membership of the Pomona Granges in New Hampshire is about six thousand. The subordi- nate and Pomona Granges of New Hampshire are hold- ing about five thousand meetings annually for the discussion of agricultural subjects and the advancement of their members in social and educational lines.
D. T. Chase served as master of the State Grange until 1880, when he was succeeded by George A. Wason of New Boston. William H. Stinson of Dunbarton was elected master, in December, 1883, and served three years, when he resigned, and was succeeded by Charles McDaniel of Springfield. Mr. McDaniel served five years, and in December, 1891, the present master, N. J. Bachelder, was elected. The other officers for 1897 are : Overscer-E. E. Rugg, Keene. Lecturer-Hezekian Scammon, Exeter. Steward-Howard B. Holman, East Tilton. Assistant Steward-Herbert O. Hadley, Temple. Chaplain-Rev. E. Howard Fisher, Gilford.
Treasurer-Hon. Jonathan M. Taylor, Sanbornton. Secretary-Emri C. Hutchinson, Milford. Gate-keeper-Adam Dickey, Manchester.
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STATE GRANGE, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Ceres-Mrs. N. J. Bachelder, East Andover.
Pomona-Mrs. S. N. Ball, Washington. Flora-Miss Jeannie McMillan, North Conway. Lady Assistant Steward-Mrs. E. E. Rugg. Keene.
Alonzo Towle of Freedom is the general deputy, and the master and secretary, with John M. Carr, Wilmot, Joseph D. Roberts, Rollinsford, and James E. Shepard, New London, constitute the executive committee.
The Patrons' Relief Association, which is a life insur- ance company for members of the Grange, was organized in 1876.
The present Grange Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized in 1888, for insuring property owned by members of the Grange against loss by fire. This com- pany has risks in force amounting to three million dollars, and is rapidly growing. The total expense to the insured has been less than one half of one per cent. for a three years' period of insurance.
The New Hampshire Grange Fair Association was organized in 1886, and has held twelve annual exhibi- tions, generally with marked success. The premium exhibits are limited to members of the Grange.
The Grange has wielded a strong influence in national and state legislation by an intelligent and conservative discussion of measures affecting the farming interests. It appeals to the judgment of the legislators by creating a public sentiment in favor of just measures rather than by open hostility or threatening action. It regards differ- ence of opinion as no crime, but earnestly and effectually maintains its position if sound and right.
There is no party politics in the Grange, and it holds itself above the tricks and schemes of cheap political manipulators. It aims to secure the nomination for office of honest and trusty men, who will stand by the indus- trial interests, in all parties, leaving its members to
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
affiliate with that party by which, in their opinion, the interests of the country will be best subserved.
No secret organization was ever conceived and given birth amid more bitter opposition or found in its pathway more obstacles to overcome than the Grange ; and yet, no association of similar character ever entered a wider field for usefulness, had greater possibilities before it, or won in the same time a higher measure of regard from intel- ligent people for its work.
The prime cause of antipathy to the organization at the start, was an erroneous impression in regard to its objects and purposes. The Grange is founded upon principles of such broad and philanthropic character that a thorough investigation must result in a higher appreciation of its ennobling influence. It is an organization formed not merely for amusement, but for the grand object of assist- ing the farmer and his family, not only to agricultural knowledge, but to social and educational culture and to a higher standard of morality. It breaks up the monotony and isolation of farm life by providing means of social enjoyment, the absence of which has been a prolific source of deserted farms.
It furnishes the means by which the farmer's education and mental development may be continued in connection with the daily avocations of farm life, and thus enables him in some degree to keep pace with his associates in other business and professions whose daily duties require mental activity and discipline.
In the words of one of the distinguished founders of the order, under its influence "Honesty is inculcated, education nurtured, temperance supported, brotherly love cultivated, and charity made an essential characteristic." Another characteristic which commends itself to all, is the proper appreciation of the abilities and sphere of woman, by admitting her to full membership. Through
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STATE GRANGE, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
these various lines, this organization carries sunshine and happiness to thousands of American farm homes, culture and refinement to members of farmers' families, and exerts an elevating influence upon the rural population of the entire land.
In addition to its practical benefits in making agricul- ture more profitable, we should remember its higher objects, which are included in the education, culture, and refinement of the farmer and his family, developing a better and higher manhood and womanhood in the broadest sense of the term, thus contributing to the repu- tation and good name of the state and nation. It is no wonder that such an organization has received the hearty endorsement of the more intelligent farmers throughout the country, and become so prosperous and popular in the Granite state, for its principles need only to be under- stood to be appreciated.
Notwithstanding the commendable progress which the Grange has made in New Hampshire, it has by no means reached the zenith of its prosperity. The number of sub- ordinate Granges should be still increased, for there are agricultural towns at present without the organization, and the number of meetings should be increased in many cases. When these things are accomplished, twenty-five meet- ings being held in each town during the year, the organ- ization will be so far perfected as to extend to all sections the elevating power of the Grange, in purifying the social atmosphere, extending the benefits of education, aiding and abetting the work of the church, and advancing the interests of New Hampshire throughout the entire rural community.
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NESMITH HALL (N. H. EXPERIMENT STATION), DURHAM.
1851947
N. H. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND THE MECHANIC ARTS.
In compliance with the terms of the act of congress, approved July 2, 1862, making a conditional grant of land to the several states, in aid of the maintenance of colleges whose " leading object shall be, without exclud- ing other scientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts," which grant had been formally accepted by act of the legisla- ture in the following year, an act was passed by the legislature of 1866, establishing the " New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts," and providing for its location at Hanover, in connection with Dartmouth college. In accordance with this act, the institution was organized and opened to students in 1868.
One of the strong reasons operating to insure the location at Hanover was found in the fact that Hon. David Culver of Lyme had left an estate looking to the establishment of an agricultural college in that town, but, the conditions imposed not having been accepted, the property had, in accordance with a further provision, gone to Dartmouth college to be used for agricultural instruction ; while the income of $4,800 per annum, realized from the $80,000 for which the 150,000 acres of
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
land granted by congress had been sold, was entirely inadequate for the work in hand.
To provide a suitable building for recitation-rooms and other necessary purposes, Dartmouth college offered $25,000 from the Culver fund, conditioned upon the appropriation of at least $15,000 more by the state, which was given, and the building known as Culver hall was commenced in 1869, and completed in June, 1871. Meanwhile, Hon. John Conant of Jaffrey had become interested, and had purchased a farm adjacent to the college, which he gave to the institution. A con- tiguous tract of land, opposite Culver hall, was also purchased by the college, and upon it Conant hall, designed to furnish rooms and board for the students, was subsequently erected, and opened for use in 1874, Mr. Conant having given $5,000 toward the expense, and the state the balance of the total cost, which exceeded $20,000. Later Mr. Conant increased his benefactions to the college, adding largely to the farm, and establishing a scholarship for each town in Cheshire county.
The endowment income, with the small receipts from tuition, even upon the liberal terms of the arrangement with Dartmouth, proved inadequate for the maintenance of the college, and aid from the state was necessary. Up to 1875, about $15,000 in all, aside from the amount given for the construction of Culver hall, had been given by the legislature, and a debt of $7,000 had been con- tracted. More assistance was needed, and the legisla- ture was called upon to provide it. In 1877 an appro- priation of $3,000 per annum for six years was voted, $1,000 per annum to be used toward payment of the debt, $1,000 for salary of a farm superintendent, and $1,000 toward the erection of a new farm house. In 1883 an appropriation of $2,000 a year for two years
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N. H. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.
was voted, and in 1885 a perpetual appropriation of $3,000 per annum was provided.
Since 1877 the college has had an independent faculty, whose members have been gradually increased in num- ber from four to fourteen, and the course of study has extended from three years, at the start, to four years. The standard of admission has also been materially raised. When the institution opened, examination was required only in arithmetic, geography, and English grammar. History was added in 1869, algebra in 1877, and physiology in 1886. In 1889 plane geometry was recommended, and made obligatory after 1891. At present, the standard is practically the same as for admis- sion to the scientific departments of other colleges, and the requirements are stated in detail in the catalogue.
By an act of congress, approved March 2, 1887, the sum of $15,000 annually was granted to each state accepting the provisions of the act of 1862, for the estab- lishment and maintenance of agricultural experiment stations " to aid in acquiring and diffusing among the people of the United States useful and practical inform- ation on subjects connected with agriculture, and to pro- mote scientific investigation and experiment respecting the principles and application of agricultural science." The acceptance of this grant by the state furnished means never before enjoyed for thorough work in scien- tific and practical agriculture. In 1890 the means and facilities for general instruction were greatly increased by the act of congress appropriating to each of the states the sum of $15,000 for the first year, the same to be increased by $1,000 annually until the amount of $25,000 should be reached, whereafter the appropriation should be continuous at the latter figure.
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