l8o AGRICULTURE OF MAINK. 



REPORT OF STATE DAIRY INSTRUCTOR. 



I herewith submit my report, as Dairy Instructor, for part of 

 year, from May 12, 1903, when appointment was made, until 

 November ist, when I left for Wisconsin to take the Winter 

 Dairy Course at the University. 



The greater part of the time was employed in visiting cream- 

 eries and dairymen in the different parts of the state. 



I also attended several Grange meetings and other farmers' 

 gatherings and spent some time at Institutes and Fairs, as 

 directed by the Commissioner. 



The following shows the number of days in each branch of 

 work : 



Visiting dairymen and creamery patrons, 34 days ; visiting fac- 

 tories, 32 days; attending meetings (mostly Grange meetings), 

 15 days; attending fairs, 14 days; attending Institutes, 11 days; 

 attendance at the office, Augusta, 10 days ; attendance at Univer- 

 sity of Maine, 5 days ; attendance at Creamerymen's Association, 

 4 days. This does not include time on road or while doing the 

 office work at home. 



I find that the amount of business done by the factories shows 

 an increase of 10 per cent, over the preceding year, and the 

 prices paid to the producer, an average increase of M cent per 

 pound. 



An organization of the creamerymen has been perfected dur- 

 ing the year which has for its object, "To promote the dair 

 industry and to constantly improve wherever possible the cream- 

 ery product of Maine" and the one rule which they have put in 

 force is the paying of higher prices for the best product, and less 

 for the inferior ; thus giving the man who takes the care of his 

 product he should, some incentive for so doing, and thus paying 

 the most money for the best product, as should always be done. 



The special dairy meeting at Presque Isle was a success, and 

 while most of the farmers are too much occupied with potatoes 

 at present to do extensive dairy work, there is no doubt but 

 that the seed sown will sometime bear fruit. 



