ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF 



AGRICULTURE. 



In presenting my first report as Commissioner of Agriculture 

 of the State of Maine, I wish to express my appreciation of the 

 active co-operation and valuable assistance rendered me by the 

 various agricultural organizations of the State : the University 

 of Maine and Agricultural Experiment Station, which have 

 always been ready to assist the department by solving difficult 

 problems, furnishing information desired, in any line, and supply- 

 ing speakers, whenever practicable, for institute work ; the Maine 

 Dairymen's Association and Pomological Society, which have 

 been ready to co-operate with us in any work for the promotion 

 of agriculture ; and the granges of the State, which have been 

 of much assistance in the farmers' institute work, opening their 

 halls for these meetings and in every way possible contributing 

 to their success. Every department of the State government has 

 also manifested a deep interest in the success of the agricultural 

 department, and been ready to extend a helping hand. 



We are under obligations to the press of this State and the 

 agricultural press of other states, for extended notices and reports 

 of our meetings and for publications which are sent free to this 

 office. 



I would also acknowledge my indebtedness to my predecessors 

 for the excellent equipment found in the office of the department, 

 and the efficient system which prevailed there. This office is one 

 of the most cheerful and attractive in the State House. The 

 walls are adorned with pictures representing different phases of 

 the agricultural industry, and most appropriate of all, with the 

 crayon portraits of Dr. Ezekiel Holmes and Dr. S. L. Goodale, 

 the first two secretaries of the board of agriculture. An invita- 

 tion has been extended to the other secretaries to add to these 

 their portraits. 



