220 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Now, a few suggestions that I have never seen attempted 

 are practical for the coming institute season. There is, in 

 my opinion, no reason why any careful man cannot apply to 

 his cows the tuberculin test. Let our veterinarian instruc- 

 tors show by actual example just how this is done ; take a 

 cow into the hall, show how the physical examination is 

 made, and then apply the test by injecting the tuberculin, 

 and instruct the farmers how to note the temperatures. It 

 is not a difficult thing to do, and any bright man can do it for 

 his own satisfaction, — at least after seeing it done once, 

 with the necessary explanation ; and it may save him from 

 buying diseased cows. Then mix and show the use of dis- 

 infectants in cleansing a stable, show the simplicity of these 

 things, and the dairymen will be more ready to adopt them. 

 Then I would like to see an illustrated lecture by a master 

 mechanic, showing the use of tools of various kinds, and 

 how to sharpen and care for them ; the construction of diffi- 

 cult parts of buildings, machines and vehicles ; practical 

 lessons in fitting horseshoes, — and many other things which 

 the farmer occasionally has to do for convenience, and might 

 often do for profit. 



Power of some kind in farm buildings — horse, steam, 

 gasoline or electrical — will be an important factor in future 

 farm operations, and a knowledge of such should be taught. 



When our nursery and fruit men talk on their favorite 

 subjects, I would have them show in comparison an ill- 

 shaped tree and perfect ones, with methods of correcting 

 the growth, as the New Hampshire advocate of forestry, 

 Judge Lyman, does in his favorite theme, the pine tree. I 

 would have them show with the knife how the roots and 

 branches of a young- tree should be prepared for planting, 

 also how to propagate, bud and graft. These things are not 

 all new, but, if they are worth talking about, they are better 

 understood if so illustrated. Every farmer knows a plough ; 

 but some men will use one a lifetime, and still not know just 

 how to adjust or hitch onto it correctly. 



I am not trying to make out that the Massachusetts farm- 

 ers are not intelligent, but rather that our institute speakers 

 must work on advanced lines in order to entertain and in- 

 struct them. I believe we are well up to the times. The 



