226 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



she replaced. We have laid stress for years upon improved 

 and cheapened production without regard to what that pro- 

 duction would bring in the market. We have for years had 

 splendid agencies for teaching us the science and art of pro- 

 duction. We have lacked almost entirely the information we 

 need to dispose of the product to the best advantage. It is 

 along that line that information is to be had if we would make 

 dairying pay. We must develop a marketing system for our 

 dairy products. 



It is that phase of the situation with which our Association 

 deals. The first need for the perfection of a market system is 

 exact information, the second organization and the third action. 



There will never be an accurate and painstaking survey made 

 of the marketing possibilities of New England dairy products 

 until the farmers demand it. There will never be a demand 

 with sufficient pressure behind it until we are organized 

 strongly enough to make that demand felt. Therefore the 

 second necessity takes precedence over the first, and the first 

 thing to do becomes to organize. And in organizing the dairy 

 industry we must not lose sight of fundamentals. Price is a 

 secondary matter. Price depends on other things. W^e should 

 organize for the purpose of finding out what the situation 

 actually is, of determining the remedy that wdll improve it and 

 of applying that remedy when once determined. 



Any organization dealing with this problem should be of. 

 for and by farmers. They should assume an attitude of 

 friendliness and cooperation toward consumers and middle 

 men. They should not antagonize any interest except such as 

 stand in their way in obtaining right and justice. They should 

 be adequately financed and command the ablest talent in the 

 investigation and study of their problem. They should be 

 patient and painstaking in reaching any conclusion. They 

 should be able to back up any stand by indisputable evidence of 

 justification. Being all this, they should stand squarely to- 

 gether for what is right and proper without fear or favor. 



I have some knowledge of the New England milk and cream 

 situation as a marketing proposition. I unhesitatingly state 

 that in my judgment no business can be successfully main- 

 tained under the svstem or lack of svstem that now obtains in 



