50 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



To my mind rewards will come more promptly in the future than 

 in the past for education specially adapted to the calling is fast 

 gaining ground. Government is lending its aid to unlock hidden 

 mysteries ; systematic business arrangements, having in view a cash 

 return, are coming into vogue, trained men from scientific profes- 

 sional and business callings are aiding. To all this we can add a 

 knowledge the farmer is gaining of the world at large, of the exces- 

 sive wear and tear of other occupations and the growing feeling 

 regarding the dignity of country life, recognizing that it is longer, 

 purer and far happier amid such surroundings as I found in the 

 quiet yet active Maine village where my thoughts were first directed 

 to this subject. 



Thus can we look at the agricultural future of New England. 

 Her qualifications are good ; her dis-qualifications are comparatively 

 few, and can be overcome by systematic and organized effort. New 

 England's agricultural opportunitiy is in her men and women as 

 much as in her soil and climate ; in the strength of their minds rather 

 than that of their muscles. All progress comes from labor, mental 

 or physicial, and all well directed labor meets with a reward. 



DAIRY CONFERENCE. 

 ["■ A dairy conference was held by the State Board of Agriculture at 

 Memorial Hall, Oakland, November 20, 1888. The object of the 

 conference was to illustrate by actual example, and to discuss at 

 length, methods and practices in private dairying, and thereb}^ call 

 the attention of dairymen in general to the best appliances and the 

 most approved practices known to the business at the present time. 

 Z. A. Gilbert, Secretary of the Board, opened the meeting with 

 an explanation of its purpose, following with a description of the 

 methods and practices exemplified. 



REMARKS OF Z. A. GILBERT. 



I have found^in mingling with dair3'men throughout the State that 

 one of the greatest obstacles to progress is the want of opportunity 

 for observation and comparison between individuals. This con- 

 ference is^designed to present to the people here assembled some 

 of the methods ;^and practices now accepted as being the best 

 known to practical dairymen in New England. Probably those who 



