150 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



flavors of the Guernsey and Jersey products. Again, for coffee, 

 oatmeal and other table uses, many good housekeepers prefer Ayr- 

 shire cream as being more dilute and digestible. The cream trade 

 is always on the increase and shows an increasing tendency to cen- 

 tralize in cities. In the summer season cream is distributed from 

 Boston to as far distant places as Portland, Old Orchard Beach, 

 Newport and a number of the seashore resorts. 



Last May while spending a few daj's in Richmond, Ya.. I was 

 surprised to learn that its surplus cream was shipped from New 

 York rather than from Philadelphia, Baltimore or Washington. I 

 learn that telegrams may at all times be sent to New York dealers 

 for a cream supply. Another important feature of interest to Ayr- 

 shire men is the constantly increasing milk trade of the cities. Not- 

 withstanding the high standard of quality we require in Massachu- 

 setts, I have no hesitation in saying that if the law was as well 

 administered in other Bay State cities as it is in Boston the increased 

 trade to the farmers woald be a million dollars. Now if this estimate 

 be correct, what would be the result in a State like New York. In 

 that State according to reliable figures there are 1,500,000 cows. 

 Dr. Collier is reported to have said at Oswego that if a merciful 

 providence would kill off two-thirds of them, which are not paying^ 

 their way, it would be a blessing to the State. Prof. Roberts also 

 said that the cost of wintering unprofitable dry cows in that State 

 was at least $20,000,000. Is there any danger of overdoing the 

 breeding business? Something must be done by stockmen's clubs 

 and associations to bring the claims of thoroughbred bulls more 

 prominently before the farmers. I would urge the plan of giving 

 prizes to the best herds of half bloods through the State Agricultural 

 Societies or through some of the great fairs, as for instance, the 

 Boston, Buffalo and St Louis fairs. 



Another potent and practical way of reaching farmers is for 

 Ayrshire men to organize creameries in those parts of the country 

 where they number large enough to group together one thousand 

 pure bred and grade Ayrshires. The co-operative creamery should 

 superintend the breeding, give two classes of prizes, one for the 

 pure bred herd making the most butter, and one to the grade herds- 

 yielding the largest returns. Competitions of this kind excite much 

 healthy stimulus among the patrons, and awaken a widespread 

 public interest in the breed of cattle concerned. The power of the 

 press in eagerly seeking and publishing such facts as work of this 



