278 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE- 



the best results? Without question, this has been one of the 

 greatest things which has made a success of the dairy testing 

 associations of the State. At the monthly meetings the mem- 

 bers discuss their successes and failures, meet and become inti- 

 mately acquainted with such men as Prof. Campbell of the 

 University of Maine, and all this is of the greatest value. An- 

 other important factor of the testing association work is the 

 visits of the testers, who have the experience of thirty dairy- 

 men doing business under practically the same conditions, be- 

 sides a knowledge of their own business. 



More definite information regarding care, management and 

 yields of all things related to farm crops must be obtained. This 

 has been one of the most serious handicaps experienced by the 

 agriculturists of our State; until this information is obtained, 

 we can accomplish nothing. It is only through efficient field 

 work that this can be obtained, and I believe you will all realize 

 the importance of this when you have seen some of the data 

 already collected. To gain this information which actually 

 exists, without any extra exertion from the farmers, all that 

 is necessary is to record it. The time required to do this is 

 small and I am sure that every member who realizes the possi- 

 bilities of the association will keep the records in detail. The 

 benefits financially and educationally will be measured by the 

 thoroughness of this work. 



In order to comply with the purposes of the association, it is 

 necessary for each member to be visited by a representative of 

 the association or of one of the institutions co-operating with it. 



WORK IN WISCONSIN. 



During my vacation I had the opportunity of visiting the 

 Wisconsin Experiment Association. This, as many of you know, 

 is proving to be one of the most efficient associations of its 

 kind in America. It was organized in 1901 and has been grow- 

 ing very rapidly since that time. One of the peculiarities of 

 this association is that its membership is limited to only those 

 men who have taken some course at the State Agricultural 

 College. This proves to be an inducement for young men to 

 attend the college, as the apparent benefits received from asso- 

 ciation work will be of financial value to them if they can be 

 admitted to the association. Owing to the fact that each mem- 



