1890.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 4. vii 



contain nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, worth, at the 

 market price of those articles, more than forty-five dollars. 

 This smn is no mean addition to the value of the milk and 

 butter product of the cow. These elements are absolutely 

 necessary to replace what our crops take from the soil, and 

 should be counted as part of the income of the business. 

 But, to realize their value, the utmost care should be exerted 

 to save the whole, and apply them to the soil in the man- 

 ner to secure the best possible results. Agriculture has come 

 to be as close a business as manufacturing, and the same 

 shrewdness, energy and industry that achieve success in 

 other callings are necessary to make any branch of agriculture 

 profitable. 



The number of co-operative creameries in the State has 

 been increased during the year by the estalilishment of four 

 new ones, — in Ashfield, Belchertown, Worcester and Three 

 Eivers. One, the Richmond, has been burned and not yet 

 rebuilt. There are now twenty-eight in active operation, 

 with several more in process of organization. 



I have found great difliculty in getting returns from some 

 of the creameries. Some of the ofiicers seem to have an 

 idea that our inquiries are inquisitorial, and for some sinister 

 purpose. I desire to assure not only the creamery companies 

 but all organizations and individuals, that the Board of 

 Agriculture and their Secretary have no wish to use informa- 

 tion to their injury, and only desire to help on all honorable 

 schemes for the benefit of Massachusetts aofriculture. 



The following table will give a general idea of the con- 

 dition and work of the co-operative creameries the past 

 year : — 



