196 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



You will see in the one case we have $83.50 profit in the other 

 we have a loss of $30.10. Perhaps all may not be as favorably situ- 

 ated as to the sale of their milk, but the point is there has been no 

 depreciation in the price of milk or butter. There is a profit in the 

 milk or in dairying where strict attention is given to it. Under the 

 present condition of things our only salvation is in the cow. 



There is no other question in the country that is agitating the 

 public mind at the present time as much as the beef growing interest. 

 There is a meeting to-day in St. Louis where nine states and one 

 territory are represented by eight members of the legislatures of 

 each State for the purpose of devising measures whereby to build 

 up the values of the live stock interests of the west. Where the 

 growers of cattle and farmers of the west resort to such desperate 

 means to recuperate their interests, it is perfectly safe for us to con- 

 clude that we are not suffering alone. I have spoken of these two indus- 

 tries, which are important factors in Maine agriculture, but the profit 

 upon our beef product has faded away. Still I consider it in the 

 power of the farmers to make the sweet corn industry a paying 

 business yet. I don't give it up. There is no question but there is 

 a profit in the business, and the farmer should receive his shar& — 

 he should have a little more for producing the crop. 



Now let us turn to the brighter side of the question and learn if we 

 can by what conditions, along what line we must work to achieve 

 success. I venture to assert that we should be more thorough in 

 the cultivation of the soil. Our dairy stock should be bred up to a 

 higher standard, in order that our dairy products be of a more uni- 

 form quality. If the State of Maine is to be a dairy State it should 

 build up its reputation by producing a good article. There is no 

 necessity of manufacturing a quantity of twelve-cent butter, if 

 proper care and skill, and strict attention is given to the business. 

 As far as competition is concerned, it is a fair fight between the 

 State of Maine and other states. It costs as much to milk a cow 

 or make a pound of good butter in Iowa as it does in Maine. 



The dairy business represents a manufacturing industry, our 

 dairy stock being the macliinery and the milk, butter or cheese the 

 manufactured product. The different breeds represent differently 

 constructed machines, and the farmer should choose the one best 

 adapted to the product he is manufacturing. We recognize the 

 advantages of associated dairying and believe in its practice, because 

 if the butter was all made at the factories and the butter was all of 



