6 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



efficient work in checking the spread of this insect. While we 

 have endeavored to do the best work possible with the funds 

 at our disposal, the infestation of this pest is now a serious 

 menace to our forest, fruit and shade trees, and a grave danger 

 confronts us if means are not provided to actively prosecute 

 the work. 



Most of the cities and towns infested wath the brown-tail 

 moth have done good work in ridding their trees of this pest, 

 and have manifested a desire to fully carry out the require- 

 ments of the law. In some of the southern and coast towns 

 the repeated clipping of the trees to secure the nests is en- 

 dangering the trees, and we would suggest that these towns 

 supply themselves with sprayers and adopt the method of 

 spraying to combat the pest. This has been done by some of 

 the towns with good results. In the badly infested towns, it 

 is our opinion that spraying at the proper time, soon after the 

 caterpillars hatch from the eggs, with a proper sprayer, will 

 be the most satisfactory way of exterminating this insect. 



THE DAIRY WORK. 



The results accomplished by the Dairy Division of the De- 

 partment are very encouraging. The dair3'men are very much 

 in earnest in relation to improving the dairy breeds. The 

 members of the several breeders' associations have manifested 

 much interest in the work. A State Live Stock Breeders' 

 Association has been organized, embracing breeders of stock 

 from every section of the State. At the meeting of this asso- 

 ciation in Waterville in November a very interesting and in- 

 structive program was presented. 



The members of the cow test associations have increased 

 their interest in these associations. Monthly meetings have 

 been held during the year, which have generally been attended 

 by a representative of the Department. At these meetings 

 questions in relation to the feeding and care of the cows and 

 other matters wdiich have offered difficulty to members of the 

 association have been discussed. A detailed account of the 

 work is given by the State Dairy Instructor, in his report, which 

 follows. 



The investigation of dairy products, under the Act of the 

 Legislature of 1909, has been vigorously prosecuted during the 



