38 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the result of this meeting of the State Board of Agriculture, 

 and the attendant State butter-show. 



Thus, Mr. President and gentlemen, we have presented a 

 compilation of facts showing the great importance of cattle- 

 husbandry, and the exportation of its products, to ourselves 

 and the country. We have reason to congratulate ourselves 

 that such a market for our productions has been opened to 

 us. The English markets are brought to the doors of the 

 American farmer. We fed the Old World last year to the 

 extent of over two hundred and fifty million dollars. 



It is said that the United States is capable of producing 

 a value of two billion dollars annually, in animals, in milk, 

 flesh, labor, and wool. 



The supply may be large ; but the demand will be always 

 equal to the supply. Careful study is needed on our part, 

 in order to produce at the lowest possible cost, and at the 

 same time not impoverish our soil. 



In all markets the best productions pay the best profit. 

 Cato, upon being asked what was the best system of farm- 

 iug, replied, " To graze well," having in view the connection 

 between the feeding of stock and the production of manure. 



Exercise }"Our thoughts, in your labors, in the husbandry 

 of neat-stock, in the manufacture and commerce of its prod- 

 ucts, and in maintaining the fertility of your farms. 



The Chairman. Before our friend Slade reads his paper, 

 there will be, as announced on the programme, and as has 

 been customary at these meetings, an opportunity for dis- 

 cussion. Perhaps there is not so much occasion for discus- 

 sion after the very full and able paper to which we have 

 listened, as there might be under other circumstances, be- 

 cause it has dealt mainly with facts, and facts cannot be 

 disputed. But we will spend a few moments, if you please, 

 upon any subject germane to the essaj r , and, if any questions 

 arise in the mind of any man as to the facts, Mr. Smith will 

 stand up and answer them. 



Mr. Flint. I would like to allude as briefly as possible 

 to the matter of contagious diseases, to which Mr. Smith re- 

 ferred, and the importance of guarding ourselves against 

 them. That is a matter which seriously affects the cattle- 

 trade of the whole country. You know that the disease 



