Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-10
State Instructor Merrill S
Annual Report.
Finds Spirit Of Progress
Among Maine Oairymen.
But Little Defective Cream Received
at the creameries.

lc ItDoIt VI l-tOll NlcIIlll
of Scion, State dairy instructor. which
was filed with the governor and
council, Tuesday, says in part:
During the past nine months 1 have
visited SO crcameries eight of which I
was called for various reasons to visit
the second time The amount of the
product received at the creameries
remains about the same on the
average, some creamerieS reporting a
slight decrease and others reporting
an increase, but the really encouraging
thing brought out by these visits was
the very small amount of cream being
received that is defective for sweet
cream purposes. l believe, from the
information that l was able to gather,
that the defective cream will not eX-
coed five per cent. of the total volume
received There has been a constant
progress made along the line of better
qaulity. Primarily this has been
brought about through the grading of
cream as it is received at the creamery,
thus emphasizing to the producer the
Importance of quality. That he has
given his active cooperation, the re-
suits attest
THE amount of butter made in COM
parison with the sweet cream sold is
each year growing less and less. The
high prices realized for butter during
the past year have, however. tempted
some creameries to manufacture and
sell more than they have for several
years. The products of the creameries
are being sold in Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
H.,
Maine cream is increasing each year.
A ready market is also being found for
slim-mll and butter milk, at good
prices. l am convinced that more and
more will there be demand for Maine
milk and that gradually many of our
farmers will change over from the SELL
ing of cream to the selling of milk.
The proper collection of milk and
cream is receiving considerable atten-
ton and the general trend is toward
the use of the individual cans, which
believe to be a move in the right
direction.
"As whole the methods used in
taking, preserving and testing the
samples of milk and cream are very
satisfactory. A few creameries could
improve their present methods some,
and l believe they will do so. That
their testing of samples is giving
better satisfaction to their patrons
every year, is shown by the fact that
during the past nine months not
single complaint has been received
concerning the test of milk or cream.
Il have visited 81 dairies and have
been much pleased with the Informal
ton l was able to gather, pleased
with the progress these men have
evidently made and the desire shown
on every hand to improve conditions
Continuing the report says:
Il have found splendid spirit, a
spirit of progress among the dairy
men of the State, and the time seems
right to make great Roadway along all
lines of agricultural work. 1t has been
decided to give the government score
card for the sanitary inspection of
darics a trial with the idea of adopt
ing it if found satisfactory, but so far
opportunity has not presented itself to
thoroughly prove its value. This Will,
however, be done very soon The
principal advantages coming from the
use of the score card are, first, 1t
leaves with the farmer a copy of the
written opinion of the man who does
the scoring; second. it protects the
farmer against unjust criticism: and
third it keeps the man who does this
scoring doing his work carefully and
accurately. as he leaves behind him
record of his own competency.
"Dairv testing is the most important
work the dairynan can understand
and its importance has been taught
for many years in this state, without
marked progress, until it has seemed
that a practical demonstration of its
need and worth should be made
through the organization of co-opera-
tive dairy testing associations. Last
year they were discussed before the
annual meeting of the Dairymen's AS
sociation, by $. c. Thompson and the
organization of such associations was
recommended and the state dairy in
structor was instructed to make an
effort in that direction. AS a result
of this, some interest was developed
but no concerted action taken in any
locality until late in October this past
year, at meeting of the Maine State
Jersey Cattle Club, the plans and pur
poses Of the Dairy Testing Associa-
ton were presented to them. Con-
siderable interest was manifested and
from this beginning there has resulted
the organization of two associations,
one at Waterford and the other at
Winthrop.
"Thc one at South Waterford was
formed Dec. IA. at a meeting called to
discuss with the farmers the adj
visa hility of such q move. A complete
set of bylaws was adopted and the
following officers were elected: Presi-
dent l.. +. Mcintyre: vice president,
r. Fl. Morse: secretary, w. X. Ham
lin; treasurer, Addison Millett. Month
ly meetings are to be held the first
Wednesday in each month, for the
purpose of discussing the records OF
the different COWS and the problems
confronting them in their dairy work
"'rhe association at Winthrop was
organized Dec. 80 with the following
officers: President w. G.. Hunton;
vice-rresident, Rutllius Alden; secre-
CuAKE INT0 YnIIR GunEe