PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

No history of Prince Edward Island ag- riculture would be complete that did not pay a tribute to the personalitymd executive ability of Dr. James \V. Robertson, for many years Commissioner of Agriculture and Dairying for the Dominion. Years of poor crops and depression were beginning to be frequent occurrences in the province. The warning of the Old Agricultural Society had not been heeded. Much of the fertility of the land had been dissipated by exten- sive farming methods, and a vital problem faced our farmers. Prior to 1892 attempts had been made to establish cheese factories at St. Eleanor's, Dunk River, Millview, Hunter River and Cornwall. The attempts failed, and it remained for Dr. Robertson to instill life into the industry and to en- courage the farmers of the province to feed their raw produce instead of selling it from their farms.

. In 1892 Dr. Robertson, in the interest of dairying, visited personally a large num- ber of centers. His strong personality, and power to assist financially for the time from the Dominion treasury finally triumphed. The first factory was established at New Perth. Eleven factories were started in 1893, six in 1894, and this number had in- creased to forty-four in 1902. Sincethat time the annual production of butter and cheese has gradually declined, but the prices of 1905 may result in a revival of interest in an industry which would prove to be the salvation of the province if energetically and intelligently followed. The Prince Ed- ward Island Dairymen’s Association was organized in 1892 to encourage the produc- tion of milk, and to look after the interest of the dairy industry generally. This as-

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sociation receives an annual grant of three hundred dollars from the provincial gov- ernment.

Dr. Robertson’s influence is felt also in our educational system. In June, 1905, through the munificence of Sir William Mc- Donald, Dr. Robertson was able to open the Hillsboro Consolidated School, one of the finest of its kind on the continent. In 1902 through the kindly interest and liberality of the same benefactors, five school gardens were placed under the supervision of Prof. Theodore Ross, to provide means "of demon- strating to the people the benefits of interest- ing the youth in the common'things of life. The additions to Prince of Wales College this present year for the training of teach- ers for the public schools make up the crowning munificence.

\Vith the growth of the agricultural in- terest in the Province the need for separate administration arose. A Department of Agriculture was formed in 1901, the cul- mination of the efforts of governors, states- men, and broad-minded citizens. The Hon. Benjamin Rogers has the distinction of be- ing the first commissioner of agriculture. Under his administration, assisted by the Dominion live stock commissioner, Mr. F. W. Hodson, the Farmers’ Institute system took the place of the old agricultural socie- ties. Prof. E. J. MacMillan, a graduate of the Ontario Agricultural College, was the first superintendent of the system. In Au- gust, 1904, Prof. MacMillan was succeeded by Prof. Readey. The Hon. Benjamin Rogers resigned in September, of the same year, and was succeeded by Hon. S. E. Reid, under whose administration the de- partment is now conducted.