USA > New Hampshire > New Hampshire agriculture : personal and farm sketches > Part 3
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The bequest of the late Benjamin Thompson of Dur- ham, of his " Warner farm" in that town, and personal
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
estate to the value of $363,000, to the state of New Hampshire, for the establishment and maintenance of an agricultural school to be located on said farm, the scope of instruction being extended, by a codicil to the origi- nal will, to include also the mechanic arts, aroused a deeper interest than had before existed, in industrial education in the state, and the legislature of 1891, by an act approved March 5, accepted the gift, and proceeded, by appropriate enactments, to provide for the removal of the New Hampshire College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts from Hanover to Durham, and the con- struction of the necessary buildings and equipments to meet the requirements of the institution upon its enlarged and far more promising basis.
The trustees of the college, in compliance with the terms of the act of April, 1891, providing for the removal, and appropriating $100,000 for the purpose, took imme- diate action in that direction. All the real estate of the college in Hanover was disposed of at private sale for $28,000 cash, and arrangements were made for repay- ment to the state by Dartmouth college of the $15,000 appropriated toward the erection of Culver hall. In entering upon the work of removal and rebuilding the college in its new location, the trustees found themselves
39
N. H. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.
facing a problem of no small difficulty; but the best available talent was invoked in laying out the grounds, locating the buildings, and developing the natural beauty of the new surroundings. The track of the Boston & Maine railroad at present runs through the college grounds, but the road has in contemplation the removal of the track to the west of all the college buildings, thus removing the objectionable effects of the present loca- tion. In 1892, work was begun for the erection of an experiment station, building a barn, a science hall, work- shops, and boiler house, and the main college building to contain the office, recitation-rooms, library, museum, hall, etc., and carried forward to completion as expedi- tiously as possible. All the buildings are of brick with the exception of the barn, and are thoroughly con- structed upon approved modern plans. A steam-heating plant warms all the buildings from a central station so as to secure the most comfort to the occupants and avoid the danger of fire. A dam constructed across a small stream, about half a mile from the buildings, furnishes a sufficient supply of water for all the purposes of the college.
Since its establishment at Durham, the enrolment of students has increased from twelve to one hundred and forty. The courses of study have been advanced and broadened, and the standard raised, little by little. To meet a demand from the smaller agricultural towns, a two years' course in agriculture has been inaugurated, and has proved successful. In response to a similar demand, a preparatory course of one year's length has been added, which is designed to bridge the gap be- tween the college and the district school.
The college offers various courses, which may be scheduled thus :
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
Course in Agriculture 4 years.
Two years' Agricultural Course . Course in Mechanical Engineering . Course in Electrical Engineering .
2
4
4
Course in Technical Chemistry
.
4
Course in Agricultural Chemistry
.
4
Course in Agricultural Biology .
General Course
4 4 years.
Preparatory Course
I year.
Course in Dairying
4 weeks.
Summer Course in Science
66
4
It is impossible to treat of all these courses in detail, in this connection. The time alloted each suggests its pos- sibilities. Information in full may be gathered from the catalogue, copies of which, as well as the bulletins of the Experiment Station, may be had upon application by mail to the president of the college or the secretary of the faculty.
The legislature of 1893 made an appropriation of $35,000 for the benefit of the college, for completing and furnishing the buildings, and for other purposes, since which the only appropriation originating in a request from the college was one of $3,105 made by the last legislature for the purchase of land.
The last two legislatures, however, have appropriated $2,500 per annum for the benefit of the two years' course in agriculture and the horticultural department, estab- lished under direction of the legislature of 1895.
Reference should be made in this connection to the men to whom the college has been specially indebted for their interest and labors in its behalf, most of whom are now deceased. Professor Ezekiel W. Dimond, who died in 1876, was a most devoted and faithful laborer for the welfare of the institution in its earlier days, and made great sacrifices in its behalf. President Smith, who was strongly interested in the inception of the college move-
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N. H. COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.
ment and its establishment at Hanover, and gave thought and effort toward its success, resigned March 1, 1872, and died soon after. Hon. John Conant, whose financial benefactions to the college exceeded those of all others up to that time, died April 6, 1877. Hon. George W. Nesmith of Franklin, who was elected president of the board of trustees after the resignation of President Smith, and held the position until his death in 1890, gave great aid in various directions, and his memory has ap- propriately been perpetuated by giving the name of Nesmith Hall to the new Experiment Station building at Durham. Ex-Gov. Frederick Smyth, who was the treasurer of the college from the start, and who, having signed the act of incorporation as governor, naturally took a strong interest in its welfare and progress, never failed the institution in any time of need, while health and strength remained. The death of ex-Gov. Benjamin F. Prescott removed from the board of trustees another tower of strength, whose clear insight, fearless spirit, and persist- ent fidelity gave inestimable value to his connection with the college. After the death of Judge Nesmith, Hon. Lyman D. Stevens of Concord was chosen president of the college, and served in that capacity with great effi- ciency and earnest devotion for three years, until July, 1893, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent. Charles S. Murkland, Ph. D.
GRANITE STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCI- ATION.
While some excellent butter and cheese was made in the state of New Hampshire twenty-five or fifty years ago, the great bulk of those products sent out of the state was of very ordinary quality, and the term " New Hampshire butter," was never thought of by any- body as embodying anything in the shape of a guaranty of excellence. So far as New England was concerned, Vermont was looked to for really first-class butter, and such continued to be the case, in fact, until within the last six years or less. Indeed, it was not until the unbiased judgment and authoritative decision of the expert judges at the great Columbian exposition, or World's fair, in Chicago in 1893, gave New Hampshire the post of honor by giving her butter exhibits the highest average record attained by any state or any country, and the fact was published to the world, that any one came to under- stand or believe that New Hampshire butter was specially desirable in the market or on the table.
Now, however, the situation is materially different. Vermont butter, though just as good as ever and unques- tionably better, since Vermont dairymen, as well as those of other states, have kept pace with the progress of the times, no longer commands the place of honor in the Boston market, or on the tables of the leading hotels and the most fastidious families. New Hampshire is now abreast and even in the lead in this regard, and unless there is a change for the worse in the progressive spirit
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GRANITE STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION.
of her dairymen and creamery managers, that proud and satisfactory position will be maintained in the years to come.
The leading instrumentality in effecting this improved condition of things is the organization known as the "Granite State Dairymen's Association," the credit of whose inception is due to a few enterprising dairymen, prominent among whom are the two gentlemen who now hold the offices of president and vice-president respect- ively-James M. Connor of Hopkinton and Charles H. Waterhouse then of Barrington, more recently of the world-renowned Hillside Creamery, Cornish, and now at the head of the dairy school at the New Hampshire Col- lege of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, at Durham- the former having been president from the start.
This association was organized in Concord, March 18, 1884, a preliminary meeting having been held in Man- chester during the previous month, upon a call issued by Mr. Waterhouse, and in pursuance of the suggestions of published articles in various newspapers of the state, written by Mr. Connor. The officers elected upon the organization of the association were as follows :
President-James M. Connor, Hopkinton.
Vice-presidents-Isaac W. Springfield, Rochester : Geo. B. Williams, Walpole.
Secretary-James O. Adams, Manchester.
Treasurer-Charles N. Clough, Canterbury.
Trustees.
Strafford county-C. H. Waterhouse, Barrington. Sullivan county-P. M. Rossiter, Claremont. Rockingham county-C. H. Hayes, Portsmouth. Hillsborough county-J. I. Burns, Milford. Cheshire county-J. H. Milville, Nelson. Merrimack county-J. I. Gerrish, Webster.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
Belknap county-George Brown, Tilton. Carroll county-Charles H. Mason, Moultonborough. Grafton county-Charles H. Boynton, Lisbon. Coos county-Samuel T. Noyes, Colebrook.
Mr. Connor has been continued in the presidency of the association from year to year, while Mr. Adams served as secretary up to the time of his death in 1887, when he was succeeded by James L. Gerrish of Webster, who has since held the position.
The annual membership fee of the association is one dollar, while five dollars pays for a life membership. While up to the present time too few of the dairymen of the state have united with the association, and taken an interest in its work, it has accomplished much for the advancement of this great industry, which has become a leading feature of American agriculture, and is destined to increase in importance from year to year. In 1886, the association voted to have an exhibit of dairy products in connection with the state fair (the last exhibition held by the New Hampshire Agricultural Society), the prizes offered being provided by the association and the agricul- tural society jointly, the former raising the money for the purpose by subscription.
The following winter, a meeting was held by the asso- ciation at the New Hampshire Experiment Station in Hanover, upon the invitation of Director George H. Whitcher, who offered, in behalf of the station, to pro- vide the means for a practical test of the comparative advantages of the two systems of creaming-cold, deep setting, and centrifugal separation. The meeting was an interesting one, the rivalry developed most exciting, and the outcome gave a decided impetus to the separator movement, which has had so much to do with the advance in dairy methods in the state.
The great need of the association was proper funds
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GRANITE STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION.
with which to carry on the work in an effective manner. At last, it was determined to make a strong effort to secure legislative aid, and a committee was appointed to labor to that end, whose work was done to such effect that by an act, approved August 14, 1889, the sum of five hundred dollars, annually, was appropriated "for the use of the Granite State Dairymen's Association, to be expended by the executive committee thereof, under the direction of the association, for the purpose of promoting the usefulness of said association to those engaged in dairying in the state."
The amount of this appropriation has been expended by the association in prizes for the best dairy products, for addresses by competent speakers from abroad on dairy subjects, and in printing the annual report of the pro- ceedings and meetings, for the benefit of all interested. The annual winter meetings, at which the competitive exhibits have also been made, have been held in connec- tion with the general winter meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, thus adding to the interest and value of both. Different sections of the state are visited from year to year, thus increasing the value of the work by diffusing as much as possible the advantages resulting from attendance upon the meetings.
It was through the active instrumentality of this asso- ciation, whose agent for carrying out the work was W. D. Baker of Rumney, that the splendid exhibition of New Hampshire dairy products was made at the World's fair in Chicago, which gave the state the prestige it has since held in the line of butter production, and which has been enhanced by the result of each of the several annual ex- hibits in connection with the winter meetings of the association, the last one, at Rochester, November 29 to December 1, 1897, surpassing in general excellence any- thing of the kind heretofore witnessed in any state in the
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
Union, wherein out of more than one hundred different entries of butter by individuals and creameries, not a single one scored below ninety, and the average was pro- nounced by competent authority the highest ever attained.
This most gratifying improvement in the quality of New Hampshire dairy products, and the commanding position secured for the same in the markets, came through the adoption of the separator system, the general establishment of creameries, the study and practice of scientific methods in feeding, ventilation, and general care of dairy herds, increased attention to cleanliness, and other details to which attention has been called in the addresses and discussions at the meetings of the associa- tion, supplemented and strengthened, of course, by the work of the Board of Agriculture, the Grange, and other organized agencies of general farm progress.
The full board of officers of the association chosen at the last election is as follows :
President-J. M. Connor, Hopkinton.
Vice-Presidents-C. H. Waterhouse, Durham ; G. H. Wadleigh, Tilton.
Secretary-J. L. Gerrish, Webster.
Treasurer-N. J. Bachelder, Andover.
Trustees.
Rockingham county-Herman Noyes, Atkinson.
Strafford county-A. B. Locke, Barrington. Belknap county-J. W. Sanders, Laconia.
Carroll county-Blake Folsom, Wolfeborough. Merrimack county-George M. Putnam, Hopkinton. Hillsborough county-W. H. Ryder, Bedford. Cheshire county-Willard Bill, Jr., Westmoreland. Sullivan county-W. H. Sisson, Cornish Flat. Grafton county-W. D. Baker, Quincy.
Coös county-Albert Corbett, Colebrook.
THE NEW HAMPSHIRE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Next to dairying, fruit culture is the agricultural indus- try which should most generally and extensively command the attention and interest of the farmers of New Hamp- shire, the soil and climate of the state, or a large portion thereof, being well adapted to the successful production of various kinds of fruits, especially the apple ; yet there has been a decided feeling among the friends of agricul- tural progress in the state, for some years past, that far too little attention has been paid to this matter, although some individuals have accomplished substantial results in this line of effort.
The great need here, as in connection with other branches of agriculture, is systematic work along educa- tional lines, which can only be carried out successfully through organized effort, with some substantial financial backing. What the Dairymen's Association has done for the dairy industry in this state might and should be accomplished for fruit culture through the instrumentality of some properly-organized society, working to that end, with similar or more substantial support from the state, through legislative action.
In the fall of 1893-October 23-in the New Hamp- shire building on the Columbian Exposition grounds at Chicago, there was a meeting of New Hampshire men, called through the instigation of Christopher C. Shaw of Milford, who, at the earnest solicitation of the managers of the exposition, had been instrumental in furnishing the somewhat meagre exhibition of fruit from this state. The result of this meeting or conference was a determina- tion on the part of those present to organize a horticultural society in the state, and accordingly a call was issued by
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
the secretary, Mr. W. D. Baker, for a meeting for that purpose in the city of Manchester on December 23, fol- lowing, in response to which call about fifty gentlemen from different parts of the state, engaged or interested in fruit culture to a greater or less extent, met and organized the New Hampshire Horticultural Society, with the fol- lowing officers :
President-C. C. Shaw, Milford.
Vice-President-John W. Farr, Littleton.
Secretary-William D. Baker, Quincy.
Treasurer-Thomas E. Hunt, Gilford.
Directors-George F. Beede, Fremont ; James M. Hayes, Dover; J. N. Davis, Centre Barnstead ; E. M. Shaw, Nashua ; Harvey Jewell, Winchester ; Dr. Alonzo Towle, Freedom ; John T. Harvey, Pittsfield ; Thomas S. Pulsifer, Campton ; Charles McDaniel, West Spring- field ; J. D. Howe, Lancaster.
The first exhibition of this society, held in Man- chester during the week of October 10, 1894, was eminently successful so far as the display of fruits and vegetables was concerned, but failed to attract the atten- tion and patronage essential to financial success. The legislature of 1895 made an appropriation of $300 per annum for two years, to aid the society in its work, and an exhibition was held in Concord in the autumn of that and the following year, resulting in a most creditable display, on each occasion, but as before, public interest and patronage was too little manifest.
The society still maintains its organization, but as the last legislature failed to make any appropriation in its aid, its exhibition in 1897 was made in connection with that of the Grange State fair at Tilton. A permanent appropriation of $1,000 per annum should be made by the legislature, to enable this society to do the work de- manded for the promotion of New Hampshire fruit culture.
PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
HON. NAHUM J. BACHELDER,
EAST ANDOVER.
When, in the spring of 1887, upon the death of James O. Adams, who had been secretary from its organization, the State Board of Agriculture looked about for the most efficient available man to fill the place thus made vacant, attention was directed to Nahum J. Bachelder, of East Andover. Mr. Bachelder had been secretary of the State Grange for several years, in which capacity he had manifested a high degree of executive ability, had formed a wide acquaintance among the farmers of the state, and had proved his devotion to the interests of agriculture. There was ample evidence of his thorough qualification for the general duties of his office, and it was also felt by many that it would be advantageous to both organiza- tions, and the cause in whose interest they were estab- lished, to make the secretary of the State Grange also secretary of the Board of Agriculture. There were many earnest advocates of such action, and the board took a similar view of the case. Mr. Bachelder was accordingly chosen, and has since holden the position. By his energy and devotion he has raised the standard of the board work, so that it now ranks with the best in the country. The number of institutes holden has been largely increased, and the speakers and subject matter
4
HON. NAHUM J. BACHELDER.
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PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
considered have been in keeping with the demands of the times.
Mr. Bachelder is a native of Andover, born September 3, 1854, on the old homestead on " Taunton Hill," in the east part of the town, now known as " Highland Farm." Here is a typical New England farm home, and the location, which is about a mile and a quarter from the railroad station at East Andover, is one of the most beautiful in Merrimack county, overlooking the silvery waters of Highland lake, and commanding de- lightful views in many directions, embracing some mag- nificent mountain scenery, in which Kearsarge, Ragged, Monadnock, and Ossipee mountains are prominent feat- ures. The farm was settled and cleared from the wilder- ness by Captain Josiah Bachelder, from the town of Hawke, now Danville, who located there in 1782, Nahum J. being his descendant in the fourth generation, the son of William A. and Adeline E. (Shaw) Bachelder. He was educated in the common schools, at Franklin Acad- emy, and at New Hampton Institution.
After a short experience in teaching he applied him- self energetically to practical agriculture. He was for a time quite extensively engaged in market gardening. Subsequently he gave his attention to choice dairying with much success, supplying some of the leading hotels in the state with " gilt-edged " butter.
Mr. Bachelder identified himself with the order, Patrons of Husbandry, early in its history in this state, having become a member of Highland Lake Grange, East Ando- ver, twenty years ago. He was four years master of this grange, and secretary of the state grange from December, 1883, until his election as master in 1891. As secretary he accomplished much for the progress of the order in the state, and under his administration as master its work has been carried forward with unprece-
FARM BUILDINGS OF HON. N. J. BACHELDER, EAST ANDOVER,
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PERSONAL AND FARM SKETCHES.
dented success. He was the charter lecturer of Merri- mack County Pomona Grange, and secretary of the New Hampshire Grange State Fair Association from its organ- ization in 1886, with the exception of a single year, until January, 1896, when he declined a reëlection, and to his systematic and indefatigable labors the remarkable success of the Association has been largely due.
Among the members of the National Grange Mr. Bachelder holds high rank and his influence is strongly felt. He was chiefly instrumental in securing the ses- sion of that body in 1892 for this state, and for New Eng- land again at Worcester in November, 1895, where his ability and influence were duly recognized by his selec- tion as a member of the executive committee of that great organization.
As commissioner of immigration, to which office he was appointed by Governor Goodell, and whose duties have since been merged with those of secretary of the Board of Agriculture, he has done much to bring about the re-occupation of the abandoned farms of the state, and as a member of the State Cattle Commission, he has been active and alert in checking the inroads of disease. He has taken an active part as a speaker at the institute meetings of the Board, discussing dairying and other topics in an entertaining manner. His general addresses at grange field meetings and other large gath- erings have gained him a wide reputation as an eloquent and interesting speaker ; while his annual reports as sec- retary of the Board of Agriculture, his addresses as mas- ter of the state grange, and his frequent contributions to the press, upon agricultural and grange topics, stamp him as a ready and forcible writer.
Mr. Bachelder is a Republican in politics, but by no means a politician. He has never sought public office. and has held none, aside from that in connection with
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NEW HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURE.
the Board of Agriculture, except that of superintending school committee for three years in the Democratic town of Andover. In 1891 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College.
June 30, 1887, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Putney, formerly of Dunbarton, daughter of Henry Put- ney, and a sister of Henry M. Putney, chairman of the state Board of Railroad Commissioners. They have two children : Ruth and Henry Putney. Their home, as has been stated, is on the old homestead, now known as " Highland Farm," which originally contained some two hundred and fifty acres, but has been increased by recently purchased additions to nearly five hundred. The original frame house, built by Capt. Josiah Bachelder, a century ago, still constitutes a part of the mansion. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, while a spacious barn 108 x 40 feet, with cellar under the whole, was erected a few years since.
HON. JOSEPH B. WALKER,
CONCORD.
While fruit, poultry, and the dairy have come to be recognized as the leading specialties among New Hamp- shire farmers, hay production, pure and simple, has been taken up by some, who have a soil peculiarly adapted to grass, and are located near the cities and large villages, which afford a profitable market and ready means for restoring fertility. Some of the finest farms devoted to this line of production are found in the vicinity of Con- cord, one of the best of these being that of Hon. Joseph B. Walker, located at the head of Main street, whose broad acres lying mainly between the old Northern and
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