ANNUAL MEMBERS 1901.

REPORT

OF THE

THIRTY-FIRST ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE

VERMONT DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION,

HELD AT

BURLINGTON, JANUARY 8, 9, 10, 1901.

The meeting opened at 11 a. m. in City Hall with President M. A. Adams in the chair. Rev. Joel Metcalf invoked Divine blessing. A very cordial welcome was extended to the members of the Association by the Mayor, Hon. Robert Roberts. Response by Hon. G. W. Pierce of Brattleboro.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

M. A. ADAMS.

Members of the Vermont Dairymen's Association, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Ever since that decree went forth ages ago, "That by the sweat of thy face shalt thou earn thy bread ", agriculture has been the chief occupation of mankind wherever civilization extends. It is the strength of all governments and the prop upon which all other occupations rest.

We read that ancient Rome was at the height of her glory while her agricultural interests prospered, but when they were neglected then her glory began to wane. This is certainly true of our own State, for while from her rocky hillsides and pleasant valleys various industries have sprung into life,

such as the quarrying of granite, marble, slate, copper and other minerals of value, still the foundation of all her prosperity rests upon the bed-rock agriculture. But all these different industries which have been developed have worked for the advantage of the farmer by providing a home market for a portion of his products which are used in feeding the hundreds of workmen employed by them and they should be encouraged by all legitimate means.

As we meet to-day to hold the thirty-first annual meeting of this Association, it is well for us to review somewhat its history and judge somewhat of its usefulness to the dairy interests of the State. Thirty years ago, well do I remember the conditions that existed at that time in the process of manufacturing butter and cheese. The cows were of indifferent breeding-anything that would produce milk, whether rich or poor in butter fats, housed in poor, close, dark stables in winter, fed upon straw at least part of the time and being without profit to the owner for at least four months of the year; the milk handled in an indifferent manner and much of the butter made therefrom going to the village store as barter, while a few of the larger lots, having been packed in large tubs and held until the close of the season's make, were sold to speculators. To-day on any of the railroad lines can be seen packages of all descriptions, tidy and neat in appearance, carrying the fresh made butter to all the markets of New England, from the private dairyman and creameries alike. Nor is this the only improvement noticed. Good, commodious barns with large well ventilated stables filled with high grade or thoroughbred dairy stock; the owner thereof mixing his bran with his brains, thereby producing an article of butter that can be truly named "Gilt Edge."

People have become more critical in their demands and the butter produced thirty years ago would be a drug upon the market to-day. To meet the refined taste of the consumer has been and is now the aim of the successful dairyman.

The founders of this Association were men who were in advance of the times, quick to grasp the situation and willing to impart the success of their experience to others. Well do we remember such men as Col. John B. Mead and Henry M. Arms (whose early death we mourn), at whose feet we of a younger generation loved to sit and take counsel. All honor then to the organizers of this Association and to those who have come after them; who have given much of their time and strength in the uplifting and the making better the condition of thousands of farmers and dairymen of our State. If the man who causes two blades of grass to grow where only one grew before is a public benefactor, what but benefactors of mankind can these men be?