USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. II > Part 49
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The population of the state exceeds the possibility of milk production within the borders ; while a large part of the milk supply must be brought in from outside, there is a steady demand for standard milk produced so close to the consumer as to assure delivery within a few hours of milking. Successful dairy farming, however, involves selection of farm land with reference to water supply and ample grazing, with the possibility of raising corn for ensilage, alfalfa and other forage crops; careful attention to pure breeding of the herd; milk testing and records of production to establish the identity of earning and non-earning cows ; and facilities for cooling milk, eliminating animal heat, and cleaning, sterilizing and storing containers ; and, of course, well-ventilated, clean barns. In Bristol County study of dairying problems and convincing demonstrations in 1925 led the farmers to undertake the elimination of all but pure bred herds, the keeping of records of production, and testing, the result being that the county achieved a reputation for the fineness of its herds. In a second series of improvement meetings, directed by the vocational division of the State Department of Educa- tion and the extension service of Rhode Island State College, dairy farmers were advised to supplement their milk-producing ventures by limited but carefully selected additional lines, such as intensive cultivation of a small strawberry lot, asparagus, or some other garden crop for which a ready market could be found for even a short season, thus to balance the vicissi- tudes of a single line. In egg production and poultry raising the superiority of pure breeding in both lines has been demonstrated; the State College experts and agricultural teachers in high schools have stressed the importance of records to determine exactly which hens are earners and which are boarding at the farmer's expense. A few demonstrations are convinc- ing of the importance of early culling of flocks for the selection of hens that will be layers, and the quick fattening for market as broilers or light roasting chickens of birds that have no future as egg producers. The experts and teachers demonstrate also the importance of good construction and cleanliness of hen houses, the principles of dieting, and the diagnosis and treatment of poultry diseases. One of the most successful poultrymen, by application of the wealth of information about fowl made available by scientific studies, guarantees egg produc-
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tion on a steady schedule throughout the year, whereby he stabilizes his own market, and besides conducts a profitable trade in hatching and selling small chicks, in marketing broilers to a steady clientele, and in disposing of other poultry. His houses are lighted by electricity, and maintained at steady temperature; in the winter the lights are turned on for an hour each evening, during which the birds leave their roosts and are fed. His records show increased egg production and additional weight and quickened maturity.
As with milk, there is a steady demand in Rhode Island for strictly fresh, nearby eggs that may not be satisfied by even "fresh-gathered" eggs brought to markets from remote places. Likewise for poultry, neatly packed, there is an unfailing market. State College experiments have dealt with feeding mixtures affecting egg production by number and weight, climatic and temperature conditions, the identification and treatment of diseases. An impor- tant service of the State College has been the discovery of the cause and a method of prevent- ing black head in turkeys ; the consequence is a revival of turkey raising on a profitable basis, and the restoration of a reputation for its turkeys which for many years gave a Rhode Island turkey annually the place of honor on Thanksgiving Day on the President's table at the White House. With both lines of animal husbandry-dairying and poultry-the farmer may plan crop planting with reference to feeding, but will need also guidance and study of the actual cost of production relative to market prices ; he may find it cheaper eventually to buy than to raise food for stock or poultry, or that a selection of production for forage may be profitable. In the same way he will be guided in buying or producing food for his own table, or in carry- ing on gardening supplementary to his main line by the prospect of a good and unfailing market.
Orcharding, apples and peaches principally, may be made profitable in Rhode Island, and is a reviving occupation, particularly in the northern section. Rhode Island farmers needed no long period of instruction to learn that the invasion of eastern fruit markets by western apples had been achieved principally, not because of merit so much as because of better atten- tion to the details of marketing, and particularly sorting and careful packing. For a while western selling associations were able to market a crop selected for exterior beauty, but dry and pithy within when compared with the luscious, juicy tang of Rhode Island apples. The funda- mentals of successful orcharding are related to ( I) soil and drainage; (2) renewal by fresh planting of new to replace old trees; (3) skillful pruning; (4) selection of sturdy stock and true varieties, and elimination of others; (5) careful spraying at intervals definitely estab- lished by entomology; (6) harvesting and packing of only perfect fruit in attractive contain- ers ; (7) disposition of "seconds" and others than first quality fruit to cider mills or in other ways that prevent the demoralizing of markets by the unloading of unsatisfactory stock at ridiculous prices. Successful orcharding is aided by bee culture, and the bees contribute honey as a by-product.
The statute law encourages the development of woodlots and forestry by exemption from taxation ; and there are possibilities in Rhode Island for forestry on a profitable basis, while constant demand for evergreens, shrubs and trees for ornamental purposes makes nursery culture attractive. In staple lines of vegetables, including both winter storage types and light garden truck for immediate consumption, the farmer must be guided by market study .* The success of farmers recruited from immigrants in lines not previously undertaken by Rhode Island farmers is suggestive; farmers from southern Europe have made the old name of Vinland and the Charter reference to vineyarding and the production of wine both ring true. The largest cranberry bog in the world is in Rhode Island. One of the most successful market gardeners has developed a steady market for roses that requires daily express shipments in large quantities, thus replacing a line that was becoming doubtful with one assuring profit. Others have found the market for flowers of other types so steady as to warrant investment in
*State College investigation suggests a steady in-season market.
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greenhouses for floriculture, as well as planting seeds for sale of flowering plants. Agricul- ture, in all its varied lines of direct and secondary and related production from the soil or through animal husbandry, may still be profitable in Rhode Island. The elements of success may be found in science and selection. Rhode Island State College, the Experiment Station and the extension department, and the vocational classes in agriculture in high schools, have been most important agencies in improving the prospects of farming in Rhode Island.
EDUCATION FOR FARMERS-Rhode Island State College enrolls in the department of agri- culture more students in proportion to the farming population of Rhode Island than any other federal-state college, without excluding any of the great granger states of the Middle West. The vocational classes in agriculture conducted in Rhode Island high schools attain similar distinction, in the sense of attracting students in excess of the number that might be expected in view of the predominance of manufacturing. Thus agricultural education is provided more than amply; even if a large number of the young men and women trained in college or in agricultural class do not become "dirt farmers," they are familiar with farming problems and sympathetic in their attitude because of understanding. Through the extension department the service of the college is carried to farmers in the field; under a cooperative arrangement betwixt the college and the state vocational division, classes of farmers are recruited at centers convenient for the farmers, and the heads of college departments are sent out as lecturers and demonstrators. No place in the state where a few may be gathered for systematic instruction is too remote, and no effort is spared to make the evening extension classes for farmers attrac- tive in the sense of offering what is wanted, and convenient with reference to travel by farm- ers. These classes sometimes are itinerant, to equalize opportunity and advantage, and also to afford opportunity for practical demonstrations. Farmers learn quickly the difference between haphazard farming, and farming as a business, the latter carefully planned. The extension divison also advises in various ways, and has been particularly helpful in demonstrating the reasonable assurance of profit following effective methods.
The college experiment station has conducted long series of systematic experiments, seek- ing helpful knowledge concerning the adaptation of crops, the nature of the soil and the most desirable type of fertilizers, favorable systems of crop rotation, plant diseases and methods of combatting them, all in the field of agronomy. In animal husbandry, dairying and poultry have received most attention, with emphasis upon breeds and breeding in the former, and extensive research in every conceivable phase of poultry culture, because poultry is one of the most important types of Rhode Island farming. The college has a splendid herd, fine flocks of poultry, an extensive orchard for study of pomology, and greenhouses both for floriculture and the study of market gardening under conditions essential for careful experiment. The department of entomology has carried on exhaustive studies of insect life with special atten- tion to the insect life of Rhode Island. The college publishes from time to time reports of studies made and results as determined, for distribution to Rhode Island farmers. The col- lege also makes chemical examinations of commercial fertilizers. Rhode Island State College is one of a national system of similar institutions, and there is scarcely an economic activity which has been subject to so much scientific study as agriculture. Every federal-state college carries on in many ways on lines similar to those pursued at Kingston, and the results of studies are exchanged freely and gratuitously. The Rhode Island farmer may have, usually only for asking, bulletins published by any of the federal-state colleges, besides the large num- ber published annually by the United States Department of Agriculture. There is no division of human knowledge concerning which so much in the form of bulletins and books may be had without expense to the farmer; very much of the bulletin material is circulated without a charge for postage, so generous is the United States government in extending franking privileges.
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STATE PROMOTION OF AGRICULTURE-The State Board of Agriculture, one of the earliest special boards, was replaced in 1927 by a state department of agriculture with a Commissioner of Agriculture as executive officer. The commissioner presides over an advisory council, the membership of which includes representatives of (1) dairy husbandry, (2) poultry husban- dry, (3) orcharding, (4) market gardening, appointed by the Governor upon nominations by the Rhode Island Agricultural Conference; and also representatives of (1) the Newport Agricultural Society, (2) Pawtuxet Valley Fair Association, (3) Providence County Agri- cultural Society ; besides one member of the Board of Managers of Rhode Island State Col- lege. Except the four members appointed by the Governor, other members are designated by the societies or organizations which they represent. The service undertaken by the depart- ment of agriculture is indicated by the designations of bureaus and officers, thus: Bureaus of (I) animal husbandry industry; (2) markets; (3) milk inspection; (4) forestry; (5) ento- mology, and plant pest control; (6) inspector and superintendent of field work; (7) fore- man; (8) federal blister rust agent; (9) inspector of apiaries; (10) deputy bee inspector. Cattle commissioners are appointed for each county except Newport; for Newport County there are two commissioners, one each of whom serves the islands and the mainland towns.
Farmers are also organized in various ways, besides in the societies already mentioned. The Rhode Island League of Agricultural Associations, organized in 1920, includes the Rhode Island Agricultural Conference, the Rhode Island Horticultural Society, the Rhode Island Poultry Association, the Rhode Island Corn Growers' Association, the Rhode Island Forestry Association, the Rhode Island Fruit Growers' Association, the Rhode Island Department of Agriculture, the Providence Market Gardeners' Association, the Rhode Island Bee Keepers' Association, the Rhode Island Farm Bureau Federation, the Rhode Island State Grange, the Rhode Island Ayrshire Club, the Rhode Island Holstein-Friesian Breeders' Association and the Providence Chamber of Commerce. The Rhode Island Agricultural Conference was organized in 1923, with the purpose of securing greater coordination between agricultural, commercial and educational groups in Rhode Island. Other organizations and their purposes include : Rhode Island Horticultural Society, founded in 1854, to promote commercial horti- culture, as well as encourage all of the people to take an interest in beautifying their homes and cultivating small flower, vegetable and fruit gardens; Rhode Island Poultry Association, founded in 1886, to conduct poultry shows, the first of which was held in 1887; Rhode Island Fruit Growers' Association, to promote the fruit growing interest of the state, to disseminate a knowledge of fruit growing and marketing, and to assist fruit growers to effect economies in buying supplies and the marketing of their products; Rhode Island Bee Keepers' Association, founded in 1917, to raise the standard of bee keeping, to bring into closer relation all persons interested therein, and to stimulate as far as possible any activity pertaining to the industry ; Rhode Island Forestry Association, founded 1926, to encourage and develop an interest in for- estry by stimulating action toward better forest fire prevention and control, by study and demonstration of better woodland management, by the planting and care of shade trees, and by the afforestation of suitable unproductive land; Providence Market Gardeners' Association, to promote the interest of the market gardeners in Rhode Island and nearby territory. The dairy interest has three associations, thus: Rhode Island Ayrshire Club, the Rhode Island Holstein-Friesian Club, and the Grade A Raw Milk Producers' Association of Rhode Island. The last was organized in 1925 with the purpose of setting for its members a standard for raw milk stricter than that imposed by statute. Rhode Island State Grange includes thirty- nine subordinate and four Pomona granges, and has a total membership of 7000.
The General Assembly appropriates annually approximately $15,000 "for the purpose of promoting and encouraging agricultural, horticultural and mechanical industry and of raising the standards of agricultural and horticultural products of the farm, mill, workshop and
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household throughout the state, by means of payments of awards and premiums to such citizens of this state as may become entitled to the same as exhibitors of agricultural, horticul- tural or mechanical products at public fairs or exhibitions." Societies participating in the apportionment of the appropriation by the Commissioner of Agriculture included in 1930: Washington County Agricultural Society ; Woonsocket Agricultural, Horticultural and Indus- trial Society ; Rhode Island Horticultural Society ; Rhode Island Poultry Association; New- port County Agricultural Society ; Newport Horticultural Society ; Woonsocket Poultry Asso- ciation; North Kingstown Poultry Association; South County Poultry Association; Bristol Poultry Association; Pawtucket Poultry Association; North Providence Poultry Associa- tion ; South Kingstown and Narragansett Poultry Association; Rhode Island Fruit Growers' Association; Providence County Agricultural Association; Pawtuxet Valley Agricultural Society ; Cranston Poultry Association; Pawtuxet Valley Poultry Association. The General Assembly also appropriates $1000 annually to be expended by the Commissioner of Agricul- ture "for the purpose of carrying on educational work through the state for the promotion of agricultural and horticultural development."
THE PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE-A very optimistic view of Rhode Island agriculture is taken by Professor George E. Adams of Rhode Island State College, who wrote recently: "Agriculture in Rhode Island shows a very wide diversification due to the occurrence of widely differing types of soil, some of which are particularly fitted for general farming, others for orcharding, and still others for the production of high grade vegetable products. Because of this range of soil types, the rolling character of the land in the northern section of the state, and the influence of the large bodies of salt water in the southern sections, especially upon the islands of Rhode Island and Conanicut, there are found conditions suitable to the development of practically every type of agriculture which has proved profitable in the eastern portion of the United States. Dairying is the most important single farm enterprise . . Fine herds representing the principal dairy breeds, Ayrshire, Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey, varying in numbers from small herds to herds containing more than 100 individuals, are to be found, the product from which find a ready market in the nearby cities and towns. Dairying will continue to be one of our most important types of farming on those farms where proper atten- tion is being given to the use of lime and acid phosphate as a supplement to the home product animal manures. This enables the dairyman to grow alfalfa and the clovers as a source of high protein hay to supplement the excellent crops of silage corn which are grown, thus mate- rially reducing the expenditures for purchased feeds. Fruits of a wide variety and high qual- ity are being produced with profit. Apples thrive on the higher elevations and heavier soil types of northern Rhode Island, while peaches are very successfully grown upon some of the lighter soils adjoining the shores of Narragansett Bay. Small fruits, strawberries and rasp- berries are successfully grown, while the area being used for grape culture is constantly increasing. When proper attention is given to the selection of varieties, cultural methods and preparation for market, the growing of the different kinds of fruits is an interesting and profitable industry. The orchards are from less than one acre to 250 acres in area. As a very specialized phase of the fruit industry in the state, the growing of figs on the island of Rhode Island should be mentioned. The cranberry grows luxuriantly in many areas and as a farm crop offers excellent opportunities for development. Floriculture, both under glass and in the field, affords a means of livelihood to many. The principal crops grown are carnations, roses, chrys- anthemums and snapdragons for cut flowers, with a wide range of potted plants which are sold for home decoration and bedding out in the spring. Pansies are grown extensively as a field crop, millions of plants being sold each spring. A development of great commercial importance, and one capable of still further expansion, is the growing of ornamental trees and shrubs. While the largest development is found on the island of Rhode Island, where soil
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conditions are particularly favorable to the development of an excellent root system, there are important nurseries in every section of the state. For many years much attention has been paid to the poultry industry, which was an early development as a specialty in the town of Little Compton, the home of the Rhode Island Red breed of poultry. Many specialized poul- try farms are found, but the business has its largest development as one of the enterprises in connection with the general farm. Those who have paid attention to the development of a special trade for selected products are finding the industry very profitable. The turkey indus- try which a few years ago seemed doomed to extinction is being revived, turkeys being grown on many farms in increasing numbers with much success. Poultry flocks are found on the specialized farms which contain several thousand birds. Vegetable growing, the type of agri- culture first to be developed as a specialized industry, is more highly developed upon the lighter soils of Providence and Kent counties, where a large supply for the local villages and the city of Providence is produced. Newport County, as a whole, has a longer growing season than any other section of the state, with a constantly increasing tendency to grow vegetables to be marketed late in the season, after frosts have killed the crops in practically all other sections of the state. With a large number of nearby markets that are eager to obtain high quality products, the Rhode Island farms offer opportunities for agricultural development excelled by no other State in the Union."
WEALTH OF FISHERIES-Rhode Island waters, salt and fresh, teemed with food fish when the first white settlers came. Although the Indians were resourceful and successful fishermen, their methods were far too primitive to exhaust a naturally rich fishery. Thus Rhode Island fishing in the seventeenth century was almost primæval in plenteousness. The Indians objected less to white fishermen with traps and seines than to the white men's hogs, because the latter wallowed between high and low water mark and by persistent digging threatened to exhaust favorite clam beds. Otherwise, the Indians learned new methods of fishing from the white men, and rejoiced at obtaining by barter superior hooks and lines, nets and seines. The pos- sibility of economic conflict between Indians and white men, with control of the fishery as one of the major issues, was averted by the elimination of the Indians as a determining factor in Rhode Island life because of the misfortunes that befell them in King Philip's War. Aside from the emphasis upon fisheries in the Charter, the earliest legal regulation of fishing dealt with the protection, in the eighteenth century, of inland fisheries by restrictions upon the build- ing of mill dams without provision for opening water gates at least during the season of the spring return of migratory fish to favorite spawning pools, or for fish ladders to assist fish in climbing over dams. An ambitious program for stocking the Blackstone River with migratory fish included a project for a fishway around Pawtucket Falls. It was realized that fisheries of salmon, shad, herring, alewives and other fish which as adults return to the streams in which they were hatched must be exhausted unless the waterways to upland streams were kept unobstructed.
The fishing legislation of the period indicated a purpose to adjust the rights of farmers as occasional fishermen and the rights of millers utilizing waterpower in the rivers and streams. Most of the eighteenth century water rights were related to gristmills or sawmills. With the development of the Greene foundry near Potowomut, and the acquisition of a water right, the fishery was protected. The general policy of colony and state continued thus until the rapid rise of the cotton textile industry transformed almost completely the economic life of the state. In the period following 1790, in which, because of realization of the profits that could be obtained through manufacturing, mill sites and water rights were sought eagerly by enter- prising promoters, less emphasis was placed upon the protection of fisheries, and streams were dammed to suit the purposes of factories principally. The result was, inevitably, that the wealth of migratory fisheries in rivers was diminished, and upland fishing was restricted to the pursuit of denizens of fresh waters exclusively. Yet so abundant was fish in rivers and
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bay, and so plentiful the supply for home markets, and so low the prices for fish fresh from the waters, that half a century passed before there was thought of conservation in view of possibly diminishing supply, and three-quarters of a century before the General Assembly found reason for an investigation of fisheries by a special committee.
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