172 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



Co. at Topsham, Waldo Co. at Belfast and Piscataquis Co. at 

 Foxcroft. 



I have visited the creameries and many dairies during the year 

 and find the sanitary condition of the former very good and 

 many dairies are kept in the same good condition, but many are 

 not so kept, though I hope and trust a better condition may 

 gradually be brought about for the sake of a better and more 

 wholesome product. 



I have made tests for patrons in comparison with the cream- 

 eries and some results tally very closely, while I am sorry to say 

 that others are far from it and the results are not altogether 

 satisfactory, but a solution of the difficulty is hard to find. 

 There is a tendency on the part of some creamery managers to 

 pay extreme prices for the product from the farms, and it 

 naturally seems a benefit to the producers and should be so but 

 the competition is so strong and every advantage taken to such 

 an extent, that the profits in the business have been paid out. 

 This condition is not altogether a healthy one, but I trust they 

 will find some satisfactory solution without resorting to com- 

 binations or agreements, and without dishonest practices, though 

 the farmers and dairymen should be alive to their own interests 

 as regards the future and not live alone in the present. They 

 should demand honest results and be satisfied with reasonable 

 prices but oppose any combination of interests, except with 

 honest, friendly competition and not drive the competition be- 

 yond that limit. 



I desire to extend my thanks to the Commissioner of Agricul- 

 ture, the officers of the Dairymen's Association and others, for 

 the many kind suggestions offered and trust that the work of 

 preaching the dairy gospel shall bring a full reward to all inter- 

 ested in agriculture in Maine. 



Respectfully submitted, 



S. C. THOMPSON. 



