SECRETARY'S REPORT. 43 



truth must be told, unpalatable as it may be, except skill in manufacture,) to 

 produce butter and cheese in abundance and cheaply, so as not only to supply 

 the home demand but for exportation. We do not say that good butter and 

 cheese are not made here, for we know they are, but the great bulk of our 

 dairy products will not compare favorably with that of other States, nor 

 would such compete successfully if sent to other markets. Pork can be grown 

 most profitably in connection with large dairies, if indeed this be not the only 

 method by which it will bring any profit at usual prices. 



We call attention to an increased production of beans as a crop likely to 

 command, if the war should continue, an ample remuneration. It is by no 

 means an exhausting crop, so far from this it is an ameliorating one. and as 

 such may well be introduced into a judicious rotation. Should the war hap- 

 pily cease before the crop is sold, sheep will pay a good price for them. 



As a large proportion of our crops primarily intended for animal food in 

 distinction from human food, we recommend increased culture of roots, espe- 

 cially the carrot, mangold and turnip, the choice between which to be decided 

 by the varying success with which either may be grown in different soils and 

 localities — the mangold usually succeeding best in heavy or clayey loams, and 

 within reach of sea breezes, and others in lighter soils. A larger amount of 

 animal food can thus be produced than by a too exclusive culture of hay, and 

 we have, besides, the benefit to be derived from a change and variety of food. 

 A very important point in this connection is to retain no animal on the farm 

 which does not, either in labor or food or other valuable product, yield a 

 profitable return for the food consumed. It costs no more to rear and support 

 a good animal than a poor one — one which pays a profit than one which en- 

 tails a loss. A sheep costs less for support than a dog and brings a better 

 return. 



The best breeds should be sought for and obtained ; more study and thought 

 should be given to the principles which lie at the foundation of success in 

 breeding, and rearing, and fattening, so that hy judicious selection and man- 

 agement we may secure the highest degree of success. As has often before 

 been shown by this Board, an animal consisting mainly of bones, lean meat, 

 skin, hoofs and horns, costs more per found to its grower than a plump, fat 

 one, while as every one knows the costlier one commands a smaller price in 

 market. We have erred in attempting to rear more animals than could be 

 brought to maturity and fatness upon present means to feed with, consequent- 

 ly large numbers of young and lean cattle have been exported from the State 

 to the detriment of our farms and pockets, and enabling farmers of Massachu- 

 setts to reap large profits by better management and more liberal feeding. 

 No more (in number) should be reared than yield us a profit. 



Dr. J. C. Weston of Bangor, for committee on topic number 



three — " Agricultural Education, how shall it best be promoted?" 



made the following report : 



Agricultural education, like certain great moral and religious questions, 

 never becomes stale, however often it is considered. As long as population 

 continues to increase in never ceasing progression, as long as new minds are 

 to be instructed, developed and qualified to derive sustenance from the mater- 

 nal earth in the best manner, so long does this subject inherently possess an 

 ever growing importance. Agriculture lies at the foundation of all prosperity. 

 It is the primary employment of mankind. It must precede all successful 

 manufacture and commerce. Agriculture, in its broadest sense, supplies all 

 those substances required for food, and all the materials for various and diver- 

 sified purposes. Manufacturing merely altera the form of the raw material, 

 commerce simply exchanges the different products, and the currency only rep- 

 resents their money value. 



