LIIH.RARY 

 NEW VORIC 



BOTANICAL 

 GAKUfiK 



ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF 



AGRICULTURE. 



In presenting this Annual Report, it affords me pleasure to 

 say that the work of the Department has gone along very 

 pleasantly during the year, and that harmonious relations have 

 been maintained with all other asfricultural organizations and 

 institutions throughout the state. The work of the various 

 bureaus and divisions in the Department has been carried for- 

 ward with constantly increasing activity. This work falls into 

 three general lines, — educational, organization and inspection. 

 The work under each of these lines has been greatly increased 

 during the year, due in large measure to new legislation. Work 

 is done through bureaus and divisions as follows : Dairy Im- 

 provement ; Dairy Inspection ; Seed and Plant Improvement ; 

 Horticulture; Gypsy and Brown-tail Moth Work; Animal Dis- 

 eases ; Institutes ; Markets ; Weights and Measures ; Apple In- 

 spection. In addition there is considerable work of a miscel- 

 laneous character. The Department finds an increasing percent- 

 age of farmers awake to the necessity of conducting their oper- 

 ations in accord with scientific principles and business methods. 

 The fast increasing attendance at the College of Agriculture, the 

 establishment of agricultural courses in many secondary schools, 

 the increasing demand for demonstration work, the call for ex- 

 pert speakers beyond our ability to supply them, all show a rec- 

 ognition by the farmer of the spirit of the age. 



The city, too, is coming more and more to recognize the agri- 

 cultural possibilities of the state and to show its willingness to 

 assist in their development. Chambers of commerce and local 

 r^^ farm organizations may well combine in efforts to increase the 

 cn products of Maine farms, to put those products into better 

 , shape for the consumer, and to develop local markets and hold 

 <» those markets for Maine products. While Maine farmers stand 



