of the last five years, it is not more acres to be farmed, but a greater 

 yield per acre, and in my judgment this cannot be done in a more 

 effective way than to establish farms that show the best results in 

 crop yields. 



"In referring to the admirable report of Commissioner Pearson 

 for 1909, it is surprising to note the great discrepancies that exist 

 in the various crop yields in counties of New York State, but I think 

 you will agree with me that this is largely due to the lack of knowledge 

 of scientific methods of soil cultivation and crop harvesting, except 

 in so far as soil and climatic conditions prevail. In Essex and 

 Hamilton Counties, as in Monroe, bordering on Herkimer, they had 

 150 to 200 thousand bushels of potatoes to the square mile, and 

 Herkimer County had only fifty. There is three times the difference. 

 The idea is to demonstrate, and show how the crop increase can 

 be brought per acre. In our earlier experience we were told that 

 Holsteins were the best. We accordingly gave instructions that a 

 small herd be purchased, by reason of the short pasturage available. 

 I do not want to go on record as not knowing the difference between 

 a horse and mule, but all cows looked alike to me. I knew there 

 were different grades and classes, and that there was a digerence 

 between a Holstein and* a Jersey, but I could not have told the 

 difference. The information I got was that the Holstein was what 

 we wanted. It was a splendid cow under favorable pasturage con- 

 ditions. I have learned that she is a magnificent cow. if she is in 

 fodder up to her knees. We were then advised to try the Jersey. 

 Conditions were altogether too severe in the winter to carry the 

 Jersey through profitably. I saw a herd of fine Swiss cattle. I 

 resolved to have stock suitable for beef consumption after the dairy- 

 ing properties were exhausted. The cattle buyer does not find any 

 cattle for sale there. We found this Brown Swiss good for this, 

 giving a good yield of milk rich in butter fat. Had we been able 

 to acquire this information at first hand, gentlemen, the saving of 

 time, expense and experience would have been had, not only in the 

 solution of our cattle question, but of swine, sheep and poultry. We 

 ought to have it from the State of New York officials. And I want 

 to say to you gentlemen that you can get together and form an 

 organization co-operation is magnificent but you have got to have 

 the farmer with you and show him how, if you want to get the 

 crops out of the soil and increase the yield per acre. Fortunately, we 

 have made some progress. And I hope great permanent good may 

 come out of this meeting to-day for the benefit of all mankind." 



34 



