REPORT OF ASSISTANT DAIRY INSTRUCTOR. 29 



ceived by the winner, but in an educational sense. They arouse 

 competition and stimulate interest in better methods of care and 

 cultivation. They are a demonstration that the limit of yield is 

 very much higher than it is customary for us to believe. 



I also would recommend the contests conducted by the Bow- 

 ker people in potatoes. The past season the three highest yields 

 were secured by Maine growers. This will stimulate other 

 farmers to apply the better methods to growing their crops and 

 will aid in bringing up the average of production. 



In this report it may be well to outline briefly the plans for 

 1914 seed work as far as they have been formulated at this 

 time. The Maine Seed Improvement Association plans to co- 

 operate with the Department more in the coming year than in 

 the past. Certain of the association members are producing 

 seed which is of very high quality. They desire this seed to 

 be more rigidly inspected to the end that it may be certified as 

 valuable seed by the state as well as by the association. A 

 system of inspection is being planned with this end in view and 

 it is hoped, while the amount of seed worthy of certification 

 will necessarily be small at first, in a few years we may have 

 large amounts of seed which may be sold under the asso- 

 ciation "Tag of Merit," accompanied by a certificate of quality 

 from the State Agricultural Department. 



I believe the seed laws of our state are inadequate and that 

 a careful and comprehensive study of them should be made 

 during the coming year to the end that such revisions of our 

 present law, or such additions to the law as would improve the 

 quality of seeds grown outside the state and sold within our 

 borders and would foster the production of high class seeds in 

 our own state, be recommended for the consideration of the 

 state legislature at its next convening. Especially do I urge 

 consideration of the needs of the Maine Seed Improvement 

 Association. The possibilities for good service among the farm- 

 ers of the state by this association are almost unlimited and 

 we urge that the voters of the state see to it that substantial 

 assistance and financial recognition be given them in their 

 efforts to improve the quality and increase the acreage of the 

 crops grown in Maine. 



In drawing this report to a close, I wish to thank all who 

 have in any way assisted us in our work. With the pleasant 



