Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-04-13
interest In Breeders Associations.

Interest In Breeders Associations.
The first Cooperative Breeders Asso-
citation to be organized in Maine under
the plan proposed by the Department of
Agriculture was formed at COrinna,
March 22, under the name of "Sebasti
cook Valley Holstein Breeders Associa-
ton" with Mr.. G. L. Jones of Corinna, Q
well known and successful breeder of
Holsteins, as its president, and Mr. G. G.
Griunell as its secretary.
The call for this meeting was issued
by Mr.. Jones who was made Its chair
man.
Mr.. Leon S. Merrill, representing the
Maine Department of Agriculture, pre-
sented the advantages attending CO.
operative effort in the breeding of do
mestic animals and the plan of the de-
psrtment for carrying on the work,
which met with the enthusiastic support
of those present and unanimous vote
to organize an association followed.
Beside the officers named above others
were elected as follows:
Treasurer-E. N. Atkins, Dexter.
Vice. President for Ripley-C. :. Tripp.
Vice. President for Exeter-G. g. Grinnell.
Vice President for st. Albans-C. II. Brawn.
Vice President for Newport-S. p. Ireland.
Vice President for Corinna.O. w. Jones.
Executive Committee-P. NJ. Libby, st Al
bans, q. Z. Tripp, Ripley.
The towns represented in the associa-
tion are located in the western part OF
Penobscot and eastern part OF Somerset
Counties.
The object of this association Is to
promote the breeding and Improvement
of high grade and pure bred Holstein
cattle in this section of the state and to
aid its members in buying, using and
exchanging and selling first class cattle.
As the name and objects imply Its
membership is limited to farmers who
will use pure bred Holstein sires ex-
clusively in their herds or have Hol-
stein herd under their immediate man.
agement. The bylaws call for regular
annual meeting and at least three spe-
cial meetings during the year, and 1t is
the plan of the association to hold as
many special meetings as possible at the
homes of the members thus enabling
them to make comparisons Of animals,
methods and results. The scope of
these meetings will be to improve the
members mentally, socially and fnan-
cially. A representative from the de-
partment of agriculture will be present
to give such encouragement and assist
ance as may be possible and to deliver a
lecture upon such subject as may be
selected by the association.
The members of this association be-
lieve that by intelligent concerted action
they will be able to impress the dairy
men of that section with the Importance
of improving their dairy herds through
careful selection and breeding; that the
work of the association will gradually
bring about greater uniformity in the
conformation and quality of their cattle;
that many other farmers not now espe-
cially interested in the Holstein breed OF
cattle, will recognize the benefits fol-
lowing the work of the association and
unite with them in their efforts; that
these conditions will prove an attraction
to buyers and consequently open up
greater and more valuable markets for
their surplus stock; and from it all the
reputation of this section of the state OF
Maine as center for the distribution OF
Holstein cattle will become firmly estab-
lished to the advantage not only OF the
members but of the whole community.
The area covered by this association
represents one of the best and most pro-
eressive dairy sections of our state and
in the opinion of the writer this move
means much for the state of Maine in
the development of the live stock in
dustry.
1t is planned to hold the first meeting
some time during the month of June.
A copy of the bylaws adopted by the
association will be furnished to anyone
interested, on application to the secre-
tary or to the department of agriculture
at Augusta. A great deal of interest is
being manifested in the work by farmers
from all sections of the state, and un-
doubtedly others will follow the example
set by the progressive farmers OF the
Sebasticook Valley.
LEON S. MERRILL,
Dairy Instructor.