130 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



THIRD DAY. 



The meeting was called to order by Secretary Sessions, 

 who said : The beauties of the town of Greenfield have a 

 great attraction for many of our people, and I fear the ride 

 they have taken this morning will be extended so that they 

 will be a little late in coming. 



If we have a report of the expert judges, we must have 

 it this morning, and we must therefore call the meeting to 

 order without further delay. 



Cliairman Grinnell. Gentlemen of the Board: We are 

 favored asrain with a most beautiful mornino;, and it is so 

 beautiful that a good many of our members are away. We 

 want to hear a few words from Mr. Harris, the expert judge, 

 who probably will give us information and suggestions that 

 'will be very valuable. He will occupy a short time. 



The meeting will be presided over by Mr. Horton, and 

 when Mr. Harris has concluded his remarks the lecture of 

 the forenoon will be by the speaker for the occasion, Maj. 

 Henry E. Alvord of the United States Dairy Division, 

 one of our own friends and townsmen, and one who was 

 most prominent in making arrangements and preparations 

 for that great butter show which we had in 1879, which 

 many of you will remember. At that meeting we had one 

 of the largest collections of butter and dairy implements that 

 had ever l)een shown in New England; and I l)elieve the 

 members of the Board used to say that that meeting gave a 

 greater impetus to dairy work than anything previously 

 done in the State. Conditions have changed. We have 

 advanced. We have kept np the interest in the dairy, and 

 we are now, here in Massachusetts, following what is to us, 

 and perhaps all New England, the most important l)ranch of 

 our agriculture, and it is important for us to keep it still to 

 the front. Our butter is consumed largely in our own 

 country, and it is very important for us to keep our dairy 

 business, our butter, cream and milk production, in high 

 condition, and I think we are doing it. I think we shall. 

 Mr. Harris of Boston, who has been examining our butter, 

 will make a short report, and some remarks and suggestions 



