REPORT OF STATE DAIRY INSTRUCTOR. 21 



At your request, I officially attended the fairs at Belfast, Cor- 

 nish, Houlton, Presque Isle, South Paris, Canton, Farmington, 

 Woolwich, New Gloucester and Topsham. Poultry was the 

 only stock that I saw shown for premiums at Belfast. At the 

 other fairs a creditable showing in beef and dairy stock, also in 

 farm products, was made. No report of the above named fairs 

 would be complete that failed to commend the excellent work 

 of our Girls' Canning Clubs. The ladies' fancy work was the 

 best ever seen, and no one could stand by the show ring and see 

 the splendid type of horses of Aroostook county, without in- 

 creasing his pride in the Pine Tree State. 



Notwithstanding the fact that grain is high, competent labor 

 almost prohibitive, and everything that enters into the cost of 

 production of dairy products appears relatively higher than the 

 price received for their products, we have many practical dairy- 

 men in Maine, with a large amount of capital invested in their 

 business, that are demonstrating the fact that, when the same 

 business methods are employed in dairying, as are employed by 

 the successful merchant, banker, or manufacturer, dairying is 

 sure to return a reasonable compensation for honest, intelligent 

 toil. By having a certain income each month, a more economic 

 purchase of farm supplies can be made. 



The dairymen of Maine are paying too much of their hard 

 earned money for what can be profitably produced in Maine — I 

 refer to grain and horses. Excellent yields of corn, and as high 

 as 91 bushels of oats from one acre, are reported. Considering 

 the large acreage of land in Maine suitable for the growing of 

 grain, and the increasing freight rates upon the western 

 product, it would seem that more attention should be given to 

 the growing of grain. The Live Stock Sanitary Commissioner 

 granted certificates for 8,376 horses to be shipped into Maine 

 'during 191 5. These represent a value of at least $1,500,000. 

 Many farmers are now raising some of their farm teams and I 

 believe the industry should be encouraged. 



After a careful study of the problems before the dairymen of 

 Maine, I believe they can increase the net income of their herds 

 by : Increasing the production, decreasing the cost of feed, 

 receiving more for their product. 



The production of a herd of a given number of cows may be 

 increased by : Better cows, better feed and care, selling low 

 producers and putting higher producers in their places. 



