19-2 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



in order that the scope of the work may be understood I feel 

 that it should be briefly outUned. , 



The purpose of surh an association is to promote the breeding 

 and improvement of pure bred and high grade cattle and to aid 

 its members in buying, using, exchanging and selling first-class 

 animals. It is an organization of farmers specially interested 

 in the improvement of some particular breed of cattle in their 

 community, town or county. Believing that through co-opera- 

 tion they can accomplish more than by working singly, the 

 members of these associations bind themselves together for con- 

 certed action. 



Having once selected the breed to the promotion of which the 

 association is to devote its efforts, its loyalty to that breed should 

 not waver. 



Co-operation should be the keynote of the work. An asso- 

 ciation should hold frequent meetings and undoubtedly some of 

 them should be held at the homes of members, where special 

 opportunity would be given for comparison of animals, methods 

 and results. 



Records of the performance of animals should be kept and 

 such part of them as would appear advisable filed with the 

 secretary. Every effort should be made to establish the terri- 

 tory covered by the association, as a center for distribution of 

 the breed chosen. To do this the members must take pride 

 in the work. Animals more uniform in size, conformation and 

 quality must be reared. These conditions together with the 

 large number of herds from which to select will without ques- 

 tion accomplish the purpose. 



An economy to the individual members can be effected in the 

 buying, using and selling of animals and in advertising. 



A large number of animals uniform in quality always proves 

 an attraction to buyers. 



This division of the Department is prepared to assist in the 

 organization of these associations, to furnish such record blanks 

 as may appear desirable in order that the work may be uniform, 

 to furnish a representative who will attend the meetings of the 

 Association, to lecture upon subjects that may have been selected 

 and to give such advice and co-operation as may be necessary. 



In view of the general admixture of breeds in this State, of 

 the desirability of improving the quality of our stock, of the 



