138 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and compound them himself, then it may do to buy still 

 more largely of commercial fertilizers. But after all expen- 

 ditures in this direction, we must improve our farms all we 

 can by thorough tillage, watchful and untiring labor, until 

 the end shall come or the ideal shall have been fully 

 realized. 



I know that there are many who will ask, Are not these 

 things for the favored few? those spending the income of 

 a large inheritance, or the profits of the counting-room and 

 manufactory. Is it the part of wisdom for him who " earns 

 his bread by the sweat of his brow" to make all these out- 

 lays here ? Is there not somewhere a more favored spot ? 

 To the farmers of the Old Bay State I would say I believe 

 " our lines have fallen in pleasant places." We know there 

 are soils that do not require fertilizing for the immediate 

 production of crops. But when all the advantages are 

 weighed, we know of no better country than our State for a 

 farmer or a farmer's home. 



The products of our soil have not to be transported a 

 thousand miles. Manufacturing and trade are ever creating 

 an increasing demand for all our products at our own doors. 



But a few years since it was loudly proclaimed that corn 

 could not be profitably raised in Massachusetts, that it could 

 be transported more cheaply from the fertile West, but by 

 many well-tested experiments in all parts of our State, it 

 has been shown beyond a question that on the warm and 

 easy lands it may be produced for a sum not exceeding the 

 cost of transportation. 



So the wiseacres of to-day tell us that beef and the prod- 

 ucts of the dairy can be produced only at a loss. Without 

 detaining you with details, sufiice it to say that in my expe- 

 rience as a producer of milk for the Boston market, I have 

 learned that by vigilance and care in the production, com- 

 bined with co-operative efibrt in the transportation and sale, 

 even with all the drawbacks incidental to the trade, milk can 

 be produced without loss, although large profits flow in 

 channels not leading to the farmer's pockets. 



And so also in the production of beef. I believe that a 

 bright day is about to dawn upon those engaged in that 

 branch of husbandry, — the growing demand for choice beef, 



