The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-11-06
S25O,OOO A YEAR
FOR TUBERCULOSIS
Commissioner of Agricul-
ture Says State Should
Spend It on Cattle
OVER 500 HERDS
ON WAITING LIST
Present Appropriation too SmalI-Bc-
Iieves In State Forests - Land Avail
able for Project - Would Spend More
to Keep Young Farmers In State.

Eeves In State Forests - Land Avail
able for Project - Would Spend More
to Keep Young Farmers In State.
BUBLINCTON, Nov. Gilbert S.
Brigham Of St. Adams, state commits
sioner Of agriculture, was the speaker at
the fourth of the dinners gwen by the
Chamber of Commerce at the New Sher-
wood hotel Wednesday evening. Mr..
Brigham said that the work of his de-
partment is divided into two parts, one.
the part taken UP with the control and
protection of the agricultural products OF
the state, and two, the promotion of the
agricultural interests Of the state. On
the first of these he did not spend much
time, merely telling of the work that is
being done to eradicate the insect pests,
which are doing incalculable damage to
Vermont crops. The most prevalent of
these insects are the gypsy and brown
tail moths and the European corn b0rer.
The methods of Graduating these pests
are the open field method and quarantine
ing the products of infested areas outside
of this state.
During the first years of Governor Ora
hams administration the work of the de-
partment of agriculture. the department
livestock We're all consolidated under the
one control, the department of agricul-
turc. \ great deal Of the work of the de-
paItment IS taken up with the dairy in
dustry, and because of its relative impor-
lance to the Nermonter, Mr.. Brigham
took up the subject first, and dwelt
longest upon it.
One great need of the Vermont dairy
Is the tuberculin test of cattle. The
states and the national government are
appropriation for the work, Vermont has
now more cows under test than any other
state, with the exception of Minnesota.
Commissioner Brigham is of the opinion
that the state should appropriate at
least S25O,00O n year for the next 10 years
if the work is to be completed and the
state freed from the disease. At the pres
cnt time there are over 900 herds on the
waiting list, because of the small apprO-
priatIOn.
Another thing that must be considered
in the diary program Of the state Is that
Of the quality of the products. Cattle
must be developed by careful selection,
and this is done now by the organization
of cow testing associations among the
farmers. In the matter Of butter and
cheese there is q big difference in the
price of first grade and second grade
products. Y Vermont now has three cream
cry inspectors to inspect the plants, and
enforce the regulations OF the depart
mcnt. A market inspector IS constantly
1T work, making new markets and deveI-
oping the old markets. He helps both the
producer and the consumer.
In recent years the cooperative cream
cry movement has gained great impetus
in Vermont. At the present time these
cooperative plants handle about one
third Of the milk produced, and they are
equipped to take care of the surplus milk
during the periods of greatest production.
! Mr.. Brigham is in hopes of seeing tht
Vermont milk and other dairy products
ti S3'I Of the he public that the s3nsist oran-
ges Of California do at the present time.
The growth of certified seed potatoes
/ is another branch Of Vermont agriculture
| that IS becoming quite profitable. These
! POTATOES are carefully inspected in the
! field and then put upon the approved
! list. Farmers in the districts south of us