DAIRY, SEED IMPROVEMENT, STOCK BREEDERS^ MEETINGS. 25I 



sympathy and regret, nevertheless, that these abound is noth- 

 ing more or less than occurs daily in all walks of life. Nay, 

 even today, in those sections where the second fundamental, 

 viz., upkeep of fertility is just beginning to assert itself, there 

 are quite a few who, rather than bow down to its dictates, pack 

 up and seek either new lands or embark upon other ventures. 

 Likewise many who have been dairymen will gradually cease 

 to be such under the new regime now confronting us — beef. 

 In fact, the whole process can be simply expressed as one of 

 readjustment, both of individuals and practices. This will 

 necessarily be slow because of the magnitude of the interests 

 involved, both numerical and financial. Moreover, the full 

 position of this fundamental factor will not have been fully 

 determined until consumers have also readjusted their domestic 

 expenditures to accord with the increased costs imposed upon 

 dairymen. 



But, dairymen, bear in mind, a product has first to be made 

 ere a suitable market and price can be created therefor. 



PRIZE ESSAYS. 



Prizes were offered by the Maine Dairymen's Association, the 

 same as in 19 14, for the best three essays written by students 

 taking agricultural courses in secondary schools in the state — 

 subjects selected by the association. First prize, gold watch; 

 second, silver watch; third, fountain pen. 



These prizes were won by Ramon Strout of Greely Institute, 

 Cumberland Center, Chester H. Bean of Maine Wesleyan Sem- 

 inary, Kent's Hill, and Jesse Bangs of Freedom Academy. 



The presentation was made by Dr. L. S. Merrill, Secretary 

 of the Maine Dairymen's Association. 



The essays will be found in the following pages : 



