66 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



to know what he is buying, and be guarded against fraud 

 and imposition. The word " butter " has a specific meaning. 

 The article which bears that name has a definite and well- 

 known appearance, and has been made from time immemorial ; 

 and it is entirely fair and just to insist that any article made 

 as a substitute for it shall be distinguished from it both in 

 name and appearance, so that the consumer may know the 

 one from the other, and make his choice accordingly. If the 

 substitute is as good as that for which it is substituted, or 

 attempted to be substituted, let it stand on its own merits, 

 and not masquerade in the guise of something else. As the 

 poet says that " A rose by any other name would smell as 

 sweet," so oleo by any other color than that of butter would 

 taste as sweet, undoubtedly. Therefore let it appear in its 

 natural hue, and not be dyed into the semblance of butter. 

 Then, if, as its friends claim, it is as good and as healthful, 

 md can be produced at less cost, so that the poor people 

 in buy it and not be at so great expense as they would be 

 ai buying real butter, the people can purchase it if they wish 

 to ; but in doing so they will act understandingly, and be 

 protected from a deception which is a wrong both to them 

 and to the producer of the real article. 



Now, my friends, for these very few among the many 

 reasons which could be given, I believe that the demand for 

 legislation upon this subject which has been made before the 

 Legislature of Massachusetts for a number of years is sound 

 in policy, that it is in the interest of honest dealing, that it 

 is for the benefit of the consumer as well as the producer of 

 butter, that it would enable the competition between the two 

 commodities to be carried on upon a fair basis, and that 

 therefore this legislation is entitled to the support of all good 

 citizens ; and I trust the demand will be kept up until it 

 meets with success. 



At the annual fairs of the New England Agricultural 

 Society it is customary to set apart one day which is called 

 "Governor's Day," upon which the Governor of Massachu- 

 setts and as many of the other governors of the New Eng- 

 land States as can be induced to come are present. It was 

 my misfortune last summer not to be here on that occasion, 

 by reason of having made an engagement to attend a county 



