DAIRY, SEED IMPROVEMENT, STOCK BREEDERS MEETINGS. 245 



played in defining the proper spheres of activity to be pursued, 

 and because of the novelty of the task, has led to the projection, 

 and in some cases advocacy of efforts and actions, which, if 

 persisted in will seriously menace the future of dairying. A 

 warning of the effect of extreme measures abounds in the de- 

 cline in number of cows in Massachusetts and Connecticut dur- 

 ing the past fifteen years in the face of a decided increase in 

 population. However, this decline of cows should not be en- 

 tirely attributed to the reasons just given. Other factors, such 

 as increase in the yield of milk per cow and increased consump- 

 tion of condensed and evaporated milks have contributed 

 thereto. 



Thus we perceive the great duty devolving upon dairymen 

 intelligently to keep before the public the prime importance of 

 the two factors first mentioned. That is the concentration of 

 bulky and crude products and upkeep of fertility. 



Although no distinction in time was given regarding the oc- 

 currence of the first two fundamentals, obviously there was an 

 interval of many centuries ere the presence of the second was 

 discerned as this could first begin to assert itself only after the 

 soil depletion of land in the vicinity following fixed settlements 

 and abodes became apparent. It is therefore conceivable and 

 proper to point out that farmers, where this occurred, were con- 

 fronted with just as serious a problem to which they had to 

 adjust their practices as now confronts us. Its manifestation 

 and expression was simply in a different direction. The net 

 result was the same, viz., added expense. In fact, despite the 

 antiquity of this second fundamental, its demands still have to 

 be heeded in many sections of this country, particularly 

 throughout the former fertile prairies of the west. This situa- 

 tion clearly indicates that the time is rapidly approaching, if 

 not already here, when meat can and will be again successfully 

 produced throughout New England. 



As was previously stated, the third and last fundamental is 

 still undefined in its application. That is, although the possible 

 relation milk supplies may bear to public health is universally 

 conceded, divergent opinions exist as to means and methods to 

 be employed to attain the desired goal. The question, there- 

 fore, is largely an educational one. New problems have been 

 projected which will undeniably increase the cost of milk pro- 



