to go on with the work themselves and know what they were doing, and not depend upon guesswork in their business. He said, in closing, "There is no such word as failure to him who believes in success."

Professor Whitcher spoke on creameries and milk. He figured the vastness of the milk product in the United States, and showed the importance of sending the productions of our farms to market in a condensed form; also showing that, theoretically, the farmer sells his farm by piecemeal when selling milk, unless he replaces the fertility by purchased feeds, while he who sells butter, feeding the skim-milk, only slightly reduces the capacity of his soil. Creameries, for the average farmer, had an advantage over private dairying, while there were a few exceptions in those who had special customers. He reviewed the two methods of delivering, the whole-milk and the cream-gathering. At the state farm they were making butter, separating the milk with a hand machine, costing at present about $150. The speaker believed a saving of eight or ten per cent was made directly in butter by the separator, with the advantage also of feeding the milk immediately, warm, without the trouble and labor of carrying to the kitchen for that purpose. He would be willing to run a small creamery in this way for the skim-milk, which, he believed, separated immediately, would pay for the labor. The only stumbling-block in the creamery business was in the testing, which he feared was not reliable as now conducted. He believed nothing short of a chemical analysis was reliable at this time, and prophesied that it would be the method used in the near future, by simplified methods.

The questions and discussion made this an unusually instructive and interesting session, the chairman being at a loss how to close the same at a seasonable hour in the evening.

LITTLETON.

The institute at Littleton was held in the Grange Hall, which was well filled, both at the afternoon and evening sessions. The secretary addressed the meeting in the afternoon, explaining the position and object of the Board in their work. He said they

did not consider themselves infallible teachers when they presented the several subjects assigned, but hoped to stimulate a spirit of inquiry and investigation among the farmers in the several counties as institutes were held during the winter. He referred to the dairy interest and to the increased attention it was receiving by the farmers of the State. While creameries are a decided advantage in almost any town, there are still farmers favorably located and adapted to the business, who will make private dairying more profitable. Mr. F. C. Grant, from the creamery at Hazen's Mills, was the next speaker, upon the subject of creameries, and his address will be found in the report.

At the evening session, Chairman Carr presented the subject of agricultural implements; Mr. Philbrick, milk and feed; Professor Whitcher, fertilizers; and Hon. J. B. Walker of Concord spoke upon the subject of plowing. Mr. Gerrish closed a lengthy report in the "People and Patriot," in regard to the Grafton county institutes, as follows:

"We would say, in this connection, that any doubt of the usefulness of these Board meetings would be removed from the mind of an individual should he follow a three days' meeting such as has been enjoyed in Grafton county this week. Although laboring under some unavoidable difficulties in the evening meeting at Littleton, the speakers worked nobly, and succeeded in entertaining appreciative audiences at each of the towns visited. The weather throughout this series was everything that could be desired, and the meetings exceeded in interest the expectations of your correspondent."

SULLIVAN COUNTY.

NEWPORT.

The series of institutes arranged for Sullivan county was opened at Newport, December 27. At the opening of the afternoon session a good number of the leading farmers of the vicinity

had assembled, and the opening remarks of Chairman Humphrey complimented the interest manifested in the institute. The chairman spoke upon stock breeding. Among the many good points made, the necessity of breeding only from sound stock was emphasized. Vicious animals should be used for breeding under no circumstances. The speaker referred to numerous instances of the transmission of unsoundness and vicious qualities from parent to offspring. He also spoke of the improvement in the breeding of animals within his remembrance, and, in closing, called upon Mr. J. L. Gerrish, of Webster, who was present, to continue the subject in relation to the breeding of sheep. Mr. Gerrish spoke of experience in the cross-breeding of sheep, and advanced the idea that there was room in New Hampshire for three distinct breeds of cross-bred sheep, adapted to the different qualities of pasture and different methods of handling. The secretary followed, on the subject of dairying, speaking mainly in reference to private dairying, and urged the keeping of more cows and the production of an article of butter that would command a higher price than the farmers of the State average to realize. After brief remarks by the chairman, the institute was adjourned until evening.

At the evening session Professor Whitcher, of Hanover, presented the subject of fertilizers in a way that commanded the closest attention of the audience. Hon. J. B. Walker, of Concord, followed, on the subject of grasses. This closed an interesting institute, and one in which the members of the Grange in Newport manifested no little interest in attending.

GRANTHAM.

A drive of twelve miles the next morning brought the representatives of the Board to East Grantham, but a severe storm prevented a large attendance. The forenoon session was devoted to the subject of stock breeding, in which Chairman Humphrey made the leading talk. Mr. Walker followed, urging the importance of breeding with some definite object in view. Animals should be bred in a way to increase the production in the line followed. The afternoon session was opened by Pro

fessor Whitcher in an hour's talk, divided between stock feeding and creameries. The questions from the audience at the close manifested a deep interest in the subjects. Mr. Walker made a brief address, subject, "The Agriculture of New Hampshire," and Chairman Humphrey followed in general remarks. Owing to the severity of the storm no evening session was held.

CORNISH.

On the following day an institute was held at Cornish Flat. A good audience assembled and were apparently deeply interested in the subjects discussed. Chairman Humphrey opened the meeting with general remarks, and introduced Mr. Charles McDaniel, of Springfield, member of the Board from Sullivan county, and master of the New Hampshire State Grange, who proceeded to speak upon the advantages of general over special farming. He advocated raising all crops that are needed upon the farm as far as possible, and a surplus of those products best adapted to the soil, market, and natural tastes of the farmer. The speaker referred to the late improvements for the advantage of the farmer, and spoke earnestly for the Grange as one of the important factors for the improvement of our agriculture. The chairman then spoke upon the subject of corn culture, which closed the afternoon session.

The seating capacity of the hall was hardly sufficient to accommodate those who came to the evening session. The subject of dairying was discussed by the secretary, more especially in regard to butter-making and in urging the establishment of more creameries, while private dairying was more profitable in some instances. The creamery system, generally adopted, would largely increase the income from the dairy cows of the State. Dr. G. W. Hunt, of Cornish, followed, urging the necessity of warm stables for dairy animals. Mr. Gerrish spoke upon sheep husbandry, referring to the origin of the various breeds and of the profit to the farmer when care was used in their selection and breeding. The meeting was closed with an address by Chairman Humphrey upon the blessings of work, in

which he earnestly advocated the necessity of labor in some form or other for the development and success of the young men of the State. His sensible and practical remarks pleased and interested the audience. This closed the institutes for Sullivan county, which we have every reason to believe were interesting and profitable.

MERRIMACK COUNTY.

CONCORD.

The farmers' institute for Merrimack county was held at the court room, Concord, on January 11 and 12, 1888, President Humphrey presiding. At the opening of the first session, at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, the audience was composed mainly of farmers of Concord and vicinity, who listened with a marked degree of interest to the exercises. The following address of welcome, prepared by Hon. J. B. Walker, of Concord, was read by Chairman Humphrey, Mr. Walker being unavoidably absent.

ADDRESS OF WELCOME BY HON. J. B. WALKER.

Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen:

I am requested, in behalf of the farmers of Concord, to extend to you a hearty welcome to our town, and say to you all that we are glad to see you, and sincerely hope that your little visit to us may prove a pleasant and a profitable one.

Our farms which lie upon the interval and the uplands overlooking it have felt the breast of the plow for one hundred and sixty or seventy years. During this time they have yielded a comfortable support to some five or six generations, and the titles to some of them have always remained in the families of their original occupants. I could show you a dozen such, all of which lie within three or four miles of the place of our assembling. These farms are no longer new, but their soil is by no means