REPORT OF THE COMM-ISSIONER. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



The fairs of the State have had a favorable year. The 

 Aveather was fine in most instances and the attendance above 

 the average. The exhibit of dairy products at the state fairs 

 was a credit to the various associations. There was a marked 

 increase in the amount of milk, cream, butter and cheese ex- 

 hibited, and these products were of superior quality. The ex- 

 hibition of fruit was also far in advance of that of previous 

 years. The care that was taken in selecting only the best — as 

 the fruit shown scored much higher than in former years — 

 shows that the apple growers of the State are much interested 

 in these exhibitions. The vegetables and grains exhibited at 

 some of the fairs were a great credit to the State. In fact, 

 all the products of the farm and garden were far superior to 

 those exhibited in former years. In the stock department, im- 

 provement was also noted. More full-blooded, registered stock 

 was exhibited this year than usual. 



We believe that the fair managers are generally trying to 

 make their exhibitions more educational, as well as attractive. 

 Fair days are holidays to the majority and they must have 

 amusement, but let it be along educational lines. The officers 

 of the fairs are reminded by this Department every year of 

 the statute that governs the societies, in order for them to 

 receive any of the state aid, and generally they are diligent in 

 seeing that this statute is enforced. It is only occasionally that 

 a violation occurs. 



SEED lAIPROVEMENT. 



Realizing the importance of some systematic plan for im- 

 proving the farm crops of Maine, the Legislature of 1909 made 

 a small appropriation for work in this line, under the super- 

 vision of the Department of Agriculture. As a result the 

 Maine Seed Improvement Association was organized on Jan- 

 uary 25th, 1910, at a meeting attended by a large number of 

 enthusiastic farmers coming from nearly every section of the 

 State. The work thus started is one of the most important 

 lin&s of work that the State has ever undertaken to develop 

 agriculture. The interest in it has been and is steadily increas- 

 ing. At the present time this association has a membership 

 of nearly 200 active, earnest, practical farmers. 



