REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 7 



gypsy moth work, and, finally, the milk inspection. Each depart- 

 ment has attempted to accomplish the work that was evidently 

 designed for it to do, by the legislature that made its appro- 

 priation. This has been without fear of any consequences and 

 without favoring any individuals. 



Bureau of Markets. 



The bureau of markets, during the year 1916, has been under 

 the capable management of F. L. Hutchinson of Dexter. Mr. 

 Hutchinson has beeji a very valuable man in this place, paying 

 close attention to the conditions which would affect price, and 

 notifying the farmers of what the market conditions were and 

 what they might expect for price, even before they were ready 

 to market their crops. He has also made himself familiar with 

 conditions not only in the large markets of Boston and New 

 York, but also with seed trade conditions in the South. Prob- 

 ably no man in New England is as well equipped to advise 

 relative to the potato trade at the present time as is Mr. Hutch- 

 inson. His information in every case has been given to the 

 public through newspaper articles and circular letters to dif- 

 ferent parties who have sought his advice. 



There is little doubt of the value of the work of the organ- 

 ization of the Farmers' Union. I want to recommend to the 

 serious consideration of the members of this organization, mak- 

 ing preparations for handling whatever output the farmers in 

 their immediate vicinity may produce, and handling it not only 

 locally, but disposing of all the surplus for these farmers, if 

 there is any surplus. I apprehend that if ther" was a ready 

 market for all of the produce which any con^niunity could and 

 would willingly raise, that there would be enough raised to make 

 any community in the state forehanded and thrifty. It is neces- 

 sary, however, for the different Farmers* Unions to adjust 

 themselves to what the community already raises, rather than 

 to demand that the community in which it is located change its 

 method of farming, or that it take up crops that it does not 

 already produce. If a Farmers' Union in a town the size of 

 Newport, or even in larger places like Waterville and Auburn, 

 were to purchase the milk routes from the local milk dealers, 

 and make enough to pay the expense of delivering and a small 



