state Dairy Association. 55 



It is a pardonable pride that points to these great movements in 

 Missouri. 



We have been working for years as a separate entity. Now 

 we come in close touch with the other great lines of modern farm- 

 ing industry, and the result must be an increased impetus to all 

 branches of agriculture. 



It is not out of place at this juncture to express our apprecia- 

 tion of the great good fortune we have in the eminent gentlemen 

 who have given their time, and who will devote their valuable 

 thought to our advancement in the program to be enjoyed at this 

 meeting. 



The dairy division of the National Department of Agriculture 

 has been most generous, and year after year, sends of its best to 

 our meetings — this year Professor White, one of the practical 

 scientists of the dairy world. Not the least entitled to our thanks 

 is the great dairy and agricultural press, which sends the lectures 

 and teachings of all the best minds to every corner of the State. No 

 dairyman can hope to succeed unless he takes and reads these 

 most valuable newspapers. They are the encyclopedia of knowl- 

 edge of dairying. 



The dairy industry in Missouri is fast assuming the import- 

 ance to which it is entitled. This statement has reference to the 

 various points where improvement has been wanting; a larger in- 

 vestment in dairy equipment; better dairy cattle; higher type of 

 finished product; and to the farmer, a better price for his goods. 



Why should Missouri be paying out $2,000,000 surplus to 

 other states for her milk, butter and cheese? There is no better 

 pasture in the world than our blue grass, and in the center of the 

 corn belt, we have ensilage produced at the minimum cost per ton. 

 The making of ensilage in Missouri is a new method of feed 

 supply. Naturally it is looked on with some degree of question 

 until its value is more thoroughly established. Who would need 

 an argument if he were to realize that the chopped corn stalk 

 has more feeding value than any roughage except alfalfa, and it 

 is to be had at a cost of $1.25 to $2.00 per ton in the silo. This 

 year in particular, when hay is selling at $10 to $16 per ton, it 

 takes very little arithmetic to settle in the minds of the average 

 man, what is profitable feed. 



The price of mill feeds is less by one-third than the dairymen 

 in New England pay. We have the market within our own bor- 

 ders. "Every prospect pleases." There remains to be accom- 

 plished only the education of our people to realize how valuable an 



