276 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



While this improvement has, to a certain extent, been prO" 

 gressive, too oiten the question of crop improvement has been 

 given second place, in comparison with the improvement of 

 live stock. This is too common a fault not only in Maine, but 

 in every section of the country. 



It has only been within recent years that we have noted the 

 organization of cooperative seed improvement associations, 

 similar to this one, throughout the country. 



The animal breeder has maintained his herd book for many 

 generations, and the term pedigreed stock is quite a common 

 one, but it is only within recent years that the term "pedigree" 

 has been associated with improved seed. There is perhaps no 

 question which so much concerns the present and future of 

 agriculture and which has had so much to do with bringing it 

 up to its present high state of development as that of improved 

 crops, especially along the line of seed selection and improve- 

 ment. Closely associated with crop improvement, in its rela- 

 tion to the new agriculture, is the development of the live 

 stock industry. Well filled bins of nutritious grains and mows 

 of palatable hay are as essential as long lines of blue-blooded 

 ancestors in producing animals o^f the highest quality. 



The subject of crop improvement is of vital importance to 

 every one engaged in the profession of farming. No one can 

 escape its significance. It falls with equal emphasis upon the 

 eastern and the western producer. While we have been some- 

 what slow in recognizing its great importance to the industry of 

 agriculture, it is fast coming into its own, and it is to the vision 

 and initiative of such men as those who were the organizers 

 of such associations as this, and others of a similar nature 

 t'hroughout the country, that the new agriculture will be pro- 

 foundly indebted. 



Witli the present limitations of land areas, in the United 

 States, the day of the migratory soil robbers is fast passing. 

 This, together with the fact that the population is increasing 

 at a more rapid rate than the increase of farm produce, forces 

 the final stages of agricultural development upon us, namely, — 

 the necessity of an increased yield and an improved quahty of 

 our farm crops. To this call, Maine must respond, if she 

 intends to maintain her, place in the rank of her sister states. 



