REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 7 



under control, and immeasurable injuries to our fruit, shade and 

 forest trees be prevented. 



Many inquiries are received at the office for statistics in rela- 

 tion to the agricultural products of the State. In a large number 

 of states statistics along these lines are compiled by the agricul- 

 tural departments and are of much value. If the legislature 

 of our State should see fit to provide funds for some work of 

 this nature, we believe it would be of much benefit to our agri- 

 culture. 



DAIRY AND LIVE STOCK INTERESTS. 



We are pleased to note an advance along dairy line*:. The 

 dairyman has been confronted with a serious proposition in the 

 increased price of grain, but prices for dairy products have ruled 

 high, and the up-to-date dairyman, by careful feeding and atten- 

 tion to details, has been able to secure good returns. The high 

 prices of grain emphasize the necessity for a more thorough 

 study of economy in production, in all lines, including a better 

 selection of cows for the dairy and the raising of more home 

 grown feed. Through the efforts of the State Dairy Instructor, 

 the farmers are awakening to the importance of a more accurate 

 knowledge of the productive capacity of their individual animals. 

 Efforts are being made to organize cow test associations, which 

 will enable the farmer to obtain a record of the annual produc- 

 tion of each cow, cost of feeding, etc. Two of these associations 

 will undoubtedly be established in the near future, and we hope 

 that many more will follow. It is our opinion that this move- 

 ment will mean much to the dairymen of the State. The report 

 of the State Dairy Instructor will give more in detail the work 

 in these lines. 



The State Dairy Conference held at Auburn in December was 

 one of the most interesting sessions held in recent years. The 

 audience was large and appreciative and many matters of much 

 importance to the dairy industry were discussed. The quality 

 of the dairy products on exhibition was very gratifying. 



Although the reports of the local assessors to the State Board 

 of Assessors show a decrease in the number of two-year-old and 

 three-year-old heifers in the State, this does not mean a decline 

 in the dairy industry. It shows that farmers have been striving 

 to increase the quality of their cows. The high price of grain, 



