Vermont D.urymen's Association. 



ticipating- much pleasure and benefit from these exhibits and 

 from hstening to the men who have trodden the way of the 

 dairyman and factoryman somewhat in advance of the common 

 rank and file ; we have, also, looked forward to the pleasant hand- 

 shake and the renewal of old acquaintances. 



Now, whether we realize these anticipations or not depends 

 upon you, dairymen, creamerymen, cheese makers,, commission 

 and supply house representatives, members and visitors, as well 

 as upon your officers. 



Then let us set the standard higher than ever before and 

 make this meeting the most enthusiastic and practically helpful 

 of any dairymen's meetings of which we have any record in this 

 State or out. 



Your executive committee after due deliberation and con- 

 siderable discussion voted to try the rule in use by the "National 

 Buttermakers Association" of awarding the premiums pro rata 

 instead of the old method of first, second and third premiums. 



It seems a step in advance and at least worthy of a trial — you 

 know we are bidden "try all things and hold fast that which is 

 good." 



I need not tell you that the Association is large numerically 

 for you are well aware of that fact. That it has some recognized 

 power politically is demonstrated by the appropriation made by 

 the Legislature of 1904 for the construction of an agricultural 

 building, the need of which building was brought most vividly 

 to our minds by the illustrated lecture of Prof. Hills,, at Bur- 

 lington, last winter. At that time a resolution was passed desiring 

 that there be conveyed to the Legislature of 1904 the wish of 

 the Association that a suitable appropriation be made for such a 

 building. I am sure that the farmers and factorymen generally 

 throughout the State extend most hearty thanks to all who were 

 instrumental in helping to thus forward their interests. 



While the Association is large and is developing consider- 

 able power politically in the State it seems to me that the greatest 

 good that can be said of it is along the lines of education and 

 co-operation. We are often hampered by our lack of training 

 along our special lines of business and the most of it is that 

 oftentimes, we do not realize that we need any special training. 

 We keep in the ruts until perhaps, attending these meetings, we 

 have brought forcibly to our minds that we must specialize some- 

 what, broaden our ideas and methods, or we shall most surely 

 be left behind in these days of close competition. 



I doubt not that many here in attendance upon this meeting 

 have been awakened and benefited much. It has been and stiH 

 \=. hard for farmers to co-operate, but this Association has been 

 a potent means of help in overcoming the distrust which is 



