REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER. 15 



as is also the comparative merit of variou'S breeds of dairy 

 animals. The periodica^l meetings afiford opportunity to discuss 

 the many and varied problems arising in the business and also 

 to listen to some of the greatest experts in the country. There 

 is room in the state for the organization of several more of 

 these associations. 



THE IvIVE STOCK INDUSTRY. 



Very much is being spoken and written about the decadence 

 of our live stock interests. Yet I understand the condition in 

 Maine is no different from that in other states. There has 

 been a shrinkage in the number of animals all over the country, 

 and also, if I am correctly informed, in Canada. It is hard 

 to say what has been the chief influence at work to cause a 

 diminution in the number of our live stock. Undoubtedly this 

 unfortunate condition is due to many reasons. One active 

 cause has been the lack of farm hellp. A shrinkage in the size 

 of herds has followed a shrinkage in the size of families. Abo 

 in late years new avocations have drawn boys and girl's away 

 from the farm in large numbers. It must be remembered also 

 that thousands upon thousands of acres of land that were at 

 one time fine grazing ground are now growing timber. Such 

 lands provided an abundant forage in the summer for large 

 numbers of cattle and sheep, which were grown principally for 

 beef and mutton. Those lands for the most part were located 

 in the hill country, were too rough for cultivation and so after 

 a few years became depTeted of their fertility and were allowed 

 to fall back to their primal state, as a part of the wilderness. 



The third cause for diminishing herds lies in the constantly 

 increasing use of commercial fertilizers. In the growing of 

 apples, potatoes and many vegetables, chemicals produce a 

 smoother and better crop than animal fertilizers and their ap- 

 'plication can be made more easily, and with less e?fpense. 

 Many farmers find it more in accord with their tastes to pro- 

 duce such crops, that can be fertilized with chemicals, so there 

 i^ not felt the necessity that once existed of keeping animals to 

 maintain the fertility of the land. 



Another cause of shrinkage is undoubtedly the fact that 

 farmers have followed the advice of public speakers and writ- 



