Resources had something to recommend with respect to the taking of an agricultural survey of the state of New York, and the society was kind enough to express its approval of our recommendation at that time. Speaking for myself, and without any authority to speak for the committee, I want to express here the hope that the time will come when the government of the state of New York, through its proper authorities trained for that kind of work, will, by surveys of the agricultural resources of the state and examination into the social conditions existing in the country districts, including the great problem of education, gather together by that means a mass of information upon which agricultural legislation can be intelligently based for the future. Every legislature that comes to Albany is filled with the idea and the desire to do something to aid agriculture and the people of the agricultural districts, knowing well that the prosperity of this industry and the prosperity of these people will always be the backbone of any self governing country. The trouble has been that the efforts have been scattered, that there has been no system in the development of our agricultural legislation, due to the fact that in years gone by the legislatures have not had at hand complete information as to what conditions existed; and they never will have that information until something along the line of this survey which we proposed last year shall be undertaken, and in course of time completed by the proper authorities of the state. That was one of the topics I desired to bring to your attention.

The only other topic I desire to touch upon is one which perhaps you think I indulge in as a hobby. We ought to take into consideration the condition of the meat supply of the United States, and, as citizens of New York-with its remarkable pasture grass, its ability to raise stock feed of nearly every kind and description that can be raised in a temperate climate— turn our attention to the development of the meat supply in the state of New York. Ten years ago such a suggestion could not be taken seriously because the prices of beef and of beef animals were approximately forty to fifty per cent. of what they are today. This state is the greatest dairy state in the Union, which indicates that we are capable of raising live stock. In view of our varied

crops which afford proper food for the purpose, and in view of the tremendous prices which are now being obtained for beef, it has occurred to me more than once that it would be profitable for the man who owns thirty, forty, fifty or sixty dairy cows to turn some attention to what might be termed the raising of “baby beef."

As an illustration of the situation as it exists all over this continent, permit me to recite to you very briefly the results of observations which I have made in the Pan-Handle section of Texas during the last five years. Six years ago a three-year old steer of a beef breed, raised on the open range, sold by contract by the carload, would average anywhere from $28 to $30. This year the property with which I have been connected during the last five year, sold five-month-old steer calves for $30 a headthree thousand of them. Not one of these calves would weigh over four hundred pounds; if they averaged three hundred and fifty they are doing well for a range-bred calf. It occurs to me that if in a country like that, where fifteen acres of grass, on the average, are required to support an animal, it can bring $30, here in the state of New York, where two or three acres of grass will support an animal, and where the raising of a calf-particularly in a. dairy section-can be accomplished very largely as a byproduct, it is well worth our while to consider whether New York dairymen should not attempt something along the line of beef raising.

Apparently there is no prospect for any considerable increase in the meat supply of the United States. The great herds of the West are gradually dwindling, and the time will come, if we are to continue our habits as a meat-eating nation—and we are the greatest meat eaters in the world-when the consumers in the great cities who are now clamoring against the high cost of the various food products, including meat, must depend upon the farmer of the East and Middle West to raise a few steer calves or heifer calves each year as a part of his general business. For, if we are unable to obtain a supply from such a source, within ten years we shall have ceased to eat meat at the rate we eat it now. I think your committee last year ventured to suggest, along this line, that the State Fair Commission take up this matter and

see if exhibits of that kind of product might not be properly held at the State Fair at Syracuse as an educational method of showing the farmers of New York that an opportunity lies ready, which, in the judgment of some of us, should be taken advantage of.

Mr. President, I have nothing more of interest to say, if indeed I have accomplished even that. I desire to thank you and the members of the association for the opportunity to appear at this late hour and consume so much of your time.

ANNUAL ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT

JOHN J. DILLON

After seventy-five years continuous service to agriculture, we may justly indulge in a pride in the past achievements of the New York State Agricultural Society, and in the distinguished men who have shaped its destinies and directed its helpful activities.

How much this society is responsible for the growth and prosperity of our agricultural resources no man can express in definite figures. We only know that it led in every movement for agricultural improvement. It was a pioneer in the field of agricultural education. It organized and directed the State Fair down to recent years. It originated the farm institute service in the state, and conducted meetings successfully for a number of years. It inspired the original state function, which later developed into our now extensive Department of Agriculture. Together with this service to agriculture, it joined hands with every worthy enterprise in the development of the resources of

the state.

It is not my purpose to speak in detail of the individual service of the men who in the past directed the influence of this society so faithfully and so well. In the early struggles of the society we can safely conclude that its resources were no more abundant than they have been in recent times. Some among us yet remember the desperate struggle of our predecessors to make both ends meet financially; and some of us know that heavy personal responsibility was often assumed to maintain the service and the functions of the society. They worked without pay or reward; I fear at times without recognition or credit. They gave not only