234 BOARD OF AGKICULTUKE. 



do a great and helpful work. One that will be substantial advantage to 

 the individual stock man and to the State at large. No other interest 

 means quite so much to the State as her live stock, because not only agri- 

 cultural values, but all others, are greatly enhanced thereby, and because 

 it is the only practical way of maintaining the fertility of the land. These 

 interests are yet only in their infancy. Indiana is not only the center of 

 population, but is also the center of what is by nature the greatest live 

 stock region in the world. The greatest and cheapest of feeds — Indian 

 corn — flourishes here as nowhere else on earth, unless it be across the line 

 in Illinois, and the proper destiny of corn is to make meat. It seems to me 

 that to sell this corn of ours in the rough for another to feed, to fill an- 

 other man's pockets and to em-ich another's possessions is an agricultural 

 crime. Indiana should raise more and better live stock. We have the 

 lands, the feed and the brains to do it. All that we lack is the information 

 well diffused among the stockmen, but this information is within the reach 

 of any live stock community in the world that has the energy and persist- 

 ence to get it and to use it. 



I believe that our sister States should lead in a most serious and 

 systematic study of this great subject. We must remember that what is 

 done or not done rests substantially with this and similar associations, 

 because they officially represent the live stock interests. What you say 

 should be done, will be done. 



The money that goes into the development of industries is about the 

 only taxes that ever return a revenue. You ask, will it pay? I would 

 say that there is no question that money devoted to investigation pays 

 and pays immediately. Will it increase taxes? Well, yes, it will some- 

 what. Illinois two years ago decided to put $50,000 a year into the educa- 

 tion of her young men in agriculture in addition to her experimental work. 

 Now, that was a little less than $1.00 for every square mile of Illinois 

 territory, it was less than $0.01 for each six acres of land, less than a 

 nubbin of corn to an acre of gx'ound; and the speaker has yet to find the 

 first man who is not willing to give that nubbin to the education of young 

 men in practical agriculture. 



There is another way in wliich we find that co-operation is lielping 

 Illinois agricultural associations. In addition to the regular program, 

 consisting of addresses and discussions, we always hold sessions devoted 

 to the judging of different specimens of live stock, where the animals are 

 used as object lessons. Reasons are given, explanations made, and <iues- 

 tions answered in regard to all points under consideration. The subject 

 of good breeding and correct feeding is intelligently and profitably con- 

 sidered. Last year we held a meat cutting and judging demonstration. 

 There were over 500 people in attendance at this session. How niiniy of 

 tlie average stockmen or boys upon the farm have an opportunity to study 

 typical specimens of the various classes and mai'ket grades of live stock 

 and to have their characteristics pointed out by experts? 



