l6 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



Stock, increasing the number of cow test associations by more 

 than one hundred per cent. The unfortunate thing is that, 

 after a caw test association is formed, the work is too exacting 

 for the price that is usually paid and the tester unwillingly 

 leaves his job for more profitable work. 



BUREAU OF MARKETING AND SUPPLIES. 



The Bureau of Marketing and Supplies has been in rather a 

 disorganized condition. Mr. Embree, who was at the head oi 

 this department at the time I became commissioner, seemed to 

 feel as though his work in organizing these unions placed him 

 in the position so that he was privileged to do as he chose and 

 that it was not necessary for him to account to anyone for any 

 of his acts. I allowed this thing to proceed until the first of 

 July, when the shipping season for 1914 crops closed, and then 

 asked him to explain to the public, at least, what he was doing 

 and how he was doing it. Mr. Embree was either unable or 

 unwilling to make any explanations. 



As a result, F. L. Hutchinson of Dexter was appointed in 

 his place. Mr. Hutchinson is a man of thorough business train- 

 ing, very far sighted and understands the conditions under 

 which the unions should work perfectly. He has been, ever 

 since the unions were instituted, closely connected with the 

 unions. He has been of immense value, not only to the Farm- 

 ers' Union, but also to the Apple Growers' associations. The 

 different exchanges around the state have called upon Mr. 

 Hutchinson continually for information relative to their busi- 

 ness, which he has freely given. At the present time a very 

 large part of them work in perfect harmony with this repre- 

 sentative of the Department. 



INSTITUTES. 



The regular institutes were conducted during the months of 

 October, November and December. We were very fortunate 

 in obtaining two interesting and able speakers — R. G. Hynicka 

 of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, who discussed the care and breed- 

 ing of horses, and George V. Smith of West W^illington, Con- 

 necticut, who spoke upon the raising of poultry. These out-of- 

 the-state speakers were ably supplemented by men from the 



