re;port of state dairy instructor. 187 



certain towns of our State, from which the product was being 

 sent to ]\Iassachusetts markets. As the statements contained 

 in this report would indicate that milk was being produced and 

 sold in violation of the laws of the State and as the Commis- 

 sioner of Agriculture is charged with the enforcement of those 

 laws, it was felt that in justice to the producer as well as to the 

 Department of Agriculture, a careful investigation should at 

 once be made. This was done by the Dairy Instructor assisted 

 by Mr. S. C. Thompson, Assistant Dairy Instructor, and the 

 results published in a special bulletin issued in March, 1908. 



That this investigation did not bear out the allegations con- 

 tained in the report above mentioned is a source of gratification 

 to this division. The government score card was used in mak- 

 ing the investigation and the advantages accruing from its use 

 became so apparent as to result in its adoption for use in all 

 inspections and investigations of dairies when conducted by or 

 in co-operation with the Department. 



Efforts have been made to interest boards of health and 

 creameries in its use, the Department offering to co-operate by 

 supplying blank score cards to all who would use them and 

 return a copy of each inspection to this office. I am very glad 

 to report that several towns and creameries are making inspec- 

 tions of the dairies supplying them with milk and cream and 

 have placed copies of these inspections on file with this Depart- 

 ment. 



The experience of the Dairy Instructor has invariably been 

 that farmers have welcomed visits from representatives of the 

 Department of Agriculture and have shown great interest in 

 the use of the score card. I believe there is great value coming 

 from official barn inspection when conducted in an intelligent 

 and conservative manner and that the resolution adopted by the 

 Maine Dairymen's Association at its last annual meeting fairly 

 represents the opinion and desires of the progressive farmers 

 of the State. The resolution as adopted, follows : 



Resolved, That the best interests of successful and progres- 

 sive dairying in the State of Maine demand some system of 

 co-operation between this association and the Maine Creamery- 

 men's Association tending towards definite and official barn 

 inspection, sanitation, and oversight of products until final 



