Year: 1877

NFNNfNNN
words of the act-"connecte with agricul
ture and the mechanic arts" II is not tC
be supposed that instruction in practices
farming or practical mechanics was all OF
the most aimed at. That these colleges vert
intended mainly to teach the mechanical and
practical industries, l am aware, is the
popular idea but it was plainly not the mair
intent of the founders Of the colleges. Oh
course IL may be an excellent thing to ap.
pend to these institutions such means oI
practical instruction as the states may
choose TO furnish. But in order TO secure
their fullest success there must be more
ample facilities for instruction in the
branches of learning contemplated in the
act. We have schools fer instruction in the
branches Of learning connected with the
law, with medicine, with preaching. We
need such in reference to the industrial
arts and have no doubt that they will in
time largely develop these industries.


should be glad to see added to our own
university an experimental farm, with the
funds to carry IL on. That is an expensive
luxury-such farms are supported elsewhere
only by heavy annual state appropriations.
But il would be valuable addition to the
facilities Of our university, and he would be
q great benefactor to the public who would
provide the means for il. IL would also be
bright day for our state if there could be
added to our chairs Of instruction special
chairs in more Of the branches of learning
related to the industrial arts-such as a
chair Of veterinary surgery, Of mechanical
physics, Of botany, Of architecture, aud q
chair devoted to railroad engineering and the
railroad interest--each filled with q master
Of his speciality, and who should be consulted
and looked up to, in it. These should be
the men to whom we would 60 to tell us
what makes the blight in our pear trees, or
occasions failure in our processes. They
should have the confidence of the far
mers. The farmer would furnish the
problem aud the professor the solution.
There should be facilities for illustration and
experiment sufficient to keep alive the spirit
of research but the college should not
waste its power by doing on its tarm, or in
workshop, work that could just as well be
done elsewhere by the practical farmer
or mechanic. There should be cordial 70.
lation between the experts aud the workers,
and no lost labor. So would the idea Of
these colleges be realized.


But this digression. Gentlemen, have
always approved the plan Of this dairymen's
sssociation-which is TO gather from all parts
the best talent aud best experience, concen-
trated in one general meeting aud to distrib-
ute its results and discussions widely through
the state. This association has come as near
as popular meeting eau, to giving "instruc-
ton in the branches Of learning related to-
dairylng and it may be proud Of its work.
Mr.. Harris Lewis has said that the dairymen
Of New York state are FIVE hundred years be-
hind the English farmers, in the matter of
raising stock. That can not be said Of Ver-
mont. Those who have gone over our state
cannot but have noticed q gradual and
steady improvement in the character of the
stock on our farms and this association is
entitled to a good part of the credit for it.
The manifest increase in the products Of our
dairies and improvement in their quality is
largely due to this association. AS l am
not member Of it, and am under no obli-
cations TO it, may add that the officers Of
this association are entitled to more credit
aud to less criticism than they have received
l am glad to welcome the association to
Burlington, and though the weather has been
unfavorable, l trust the meeting will be
equal to the best Of its predecessors, and
give large results to the dairy interest of our
state.


President Buckham's address was listened
to with close and gratifed interest. Presi-
dent Mason responded as follows:


REMARKS OF PRESIDENT MASON.


President Buckham


On behalf Of the members of the Ver-
mont dairymen's association, return thanks
for your words Of good cheer aud for the
kind welcome that you have extended to us
from the citizens of your city. We hope
that the meeting commenced will not only
be pleasant one to the people of your beau
tiful city, but q profitable one TO the dairy.
men and farmers Of the whole state.


Addressing the association, Mr.. Mason
said:


Ladies and GentLemen-Members of the


Vermont Dairynen'S Association


We have decided to take new departure
10 one respect at this eighth winter meeting
of our association, in the discussion of the
all.important question that comes up at most
Of the agricultural meetings of the day
the higher education Of the farmer. We
have invited men Of broad aud national
views on this subject to take part in this dis.
cussion, and we trust these able gentlemen
will do the subject justice and give a new
impetus to Vermont education and to Yer.
mont agriculture.


The dairymen and farmers of Vermont
need an experimental station or farm where
the numerous and perplexing questions thai
arise in our vocation can be tested and settled
l have no doubt that such a station woulC
pay many times its cost TO the dsirym0n auc
farmers OF the state each year aud l hopt
that steps will be taken at this meeting L
secure such station or farm. We neeC
better dairy stock, more feed and better care
larger yield per COW, and better quality
which will surely give better prices and glad
den the heart Of the dairymen and farmers
We need q better system of cultivation
more fertilizers and better application, whicl
I


will give larger aud better crops. We nee
more work and less idleness, more econom
and less waste aud extravaganza. We neeC
better system Of marketing farm products
aud above all better and higher educatio


for ourselves and our families that we ma


better discharge our duties as citizens of ou
noble state. We will now proceed with th


business of this meeting.


After some remarks by Mr. Bliss, secretar


of the association, the meeting was adjOurne


to 2.3O P. m. on motion of Mr.. Tinkham.
AFTERNOON.


The meeting opened with considerabl


larger attendance. The speakers announce


for the afternoon not having arrived, Ii


president announced as subject for discui


sion, Milk, its production and matters XII