140 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



tons 2 of butter to Boston, have been charged from thirty to 

 thirty-three cents per hundred-weight for freight, and fur- 

 nished only common cars, without ice. 



There is no semblance of equity in such arrangements. 

 Of course, what has been said of dairy goods applies with 

 more or less force to all kinds of farm-produce sent by rail 

 to market. The farming of Massachusetts, if given a fail- 

 field, can, by good management, hold its own ; but it cannot 

 bear the competition it must meet when such advantages in 

 transportation are given our competitors by our own roads. 

 This injustice should receive your immediate attention. The 

 remedy is in your own hands. The first appeal should be 

 to the railroads. Represent your patronage of their lines 

 through these long years and during the trying times be- 

 fore the great traffic was built up, and the unfairness of your 

 present treatment. If you can secure no reduction in the 

 freight-rates, surely so reasonable a request as that you 

 be furnished proper cars will be at once granted. You can 

 depend upon the Boston Produce Exchange, which has so 

 cordially co-operated in promoting the success of this day, to 

 second your efforts. That efficient organization joined hands 

 with the Vermont butter-makers late last summer, and se- 

 cured lines of refrigerator-cars. The Massachusetts rail- 

 roads may be expected to do the same, if the case is properly 

 presented. The farmers and merchants interested must make 

 the effort. Should such an effort fail (though I don't be- 

 lieve it can), you have recourse to the General Court. We 

 are taught that the people rule. The farmers of Massachu- 

 setts form a fair share of her people. Why should they be 

 slow in asserting their rights? Every year we select our law- 

 makers. Might it not be well to suggest to them that a part 

 of the time usually spent by the Legislature in criticising 

 and hampering our Agricultural College, and in belittling our 



1 Shipments of butter from Franklin County for five years, with prices: — 



