DAIRY MEIETING. 65 



TUESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 4. 



ADDRESS OF WELCOME. 



By D. H. Knowlton, Farmington, Me. 



"Fanning,"' said Prof. L. H. Bailey in a recent article, "is 

 becoming more difficult, and the old methods must go. In the 

 future only the well-informed and efficient-thinking man can 

 succeed; that is, only the educated man."' I am glad indeed to 

 welcome to our town these young men who come from the 

 University of Maine and offer to us the results of their study 

 of agriculture. I am glad also to welcome those who come 

 from the study of the University or from the laboratory of the 

 Experiment Station. They are the ones whom Nature, the 

 old nurse, seems to take, saying : 



"Here is a story-book 

 Thy Father has written for thee. 



Come, wander with me,"' she said, 

 "Into regions yet untrod. 



And read what is still unread 

 In the manuscripts of God." 



I only wish that more of our young farmers could be here 

 and listen to your words and profit by them. But I rejoice to 

 know that so many of the better class of farmers are regarding 

 an agricultural education as an essential part of successful 

 farming. 



The old State Board of Agriculture held its annual meeting 

 in 187 1 in this town. On that occasion the Hon. Hannibal 

 Belcher gave the words of welcome : "We regard ourselves," 

 said he, "fortunate that you should be able at any time to visit 

 us." To-night as I stand before you I will reaffirm his words 

 that we are fortunate to have this visit from you and I cordially 

 welcome, you one and all. That meeting of the old board here 

 was a memorable one, for among those present were several 

 who did noble work for the cause of Maine agriculture. The 

 meetings were held in the old court house and I doubt if at any 

 session there were a hundred persons present, and many of 



