l8 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



GENERAL. 



yVU lines of Dairy Division work have progressed during the 

 past year with an exceptionally small amount of friction. 

 Kverywhere and by everybody have we been received with the 

 greatest courtesy. The spirit of co-operation appears to be 

 gaining ground and this is perhaps nowhere more marked than 

 l)etween the agricultural institutions and workers of the State. 

 The Dairy Instructor desires to acknowdedge the valuable 

 assistance rendered the Dairy Division by the College of Agri- 

 'culture. Without their co-operation the work would have suf- 

 fered in many instances. 



The press of the State, and especially the agricultural press, 

 liave treated the Dairy Division with unfailing courtesy. Dur- 

 ing the nearly four years of my official connection with the 

 Department of Agriculture, I cannot recall a single instance 

 where any newspaper of the State has indulged in any criticism 

 of the dairy work of the Department. The Dairy Instructor 

 is not egotistical enough to regard this as an indication that 

 the dairy work has been above criticism, but rather as an em- 

 phatic indication of the desire of the press to generously over- 

 look the mistakes which attend so much of life's work, and to 

 vigorously support such measures and plans as appear important 

 in the development of Maine agriculture. I am indeed grateful 

 for the consideration and support the dairy work has received 

 at their hands. 



During the year the Dairy Instructor was twice honored by 

 requests from without the State to deliver addresses upon im- 

 portant dairy matters. After consultation with you these invi- 

 tations were accepted and I was given the privilege of attend- 

 ing the general round-up institute held, in Providence, R. I., 

 and speaking on '"The \'alue of Dair}- Inspection to the Farmer," 

 and also to attend the Farmers' Week course of the Massachu- 

 setts Agricultural College. At this meeting I was requested to 

 discuss "The Benefits of the Dairy Testing Associatioji Work 

 to Farmers," also "The Organization and Work of the Co-oper- 

 ative Breeders' Associations." The assignment of these three 

 subjects is an indication of the estimate placed upon the dairy 

 work in Maine by other New England states. 



So far as future w^ork for the Dairy Division is concerned 

 T feel that as I am now leaving the services of the Department, 



