MICHIGAN LIVE STOCK IN 1899 415 



with US at our meetings and has lifted up his voice there, and at the 

 institutes all over the State, in the interests of better dairy education. 



We also have put forth every effort to« have a suitable dairy building 

 put up at the college, where modern dairying can be taught in all its 

 branches. 



April 26, 1895, an act was passed under which the association became 

 incorporated. The incorporators were Jas, N. McBride, Owosso; Samuel 

 J. Wilson, Flint; John I. Breck, Jackson; Clinton D. Smith, Agricultural 

 College; George C Horton^ Fruit Kidge; Earnest A. Stowe^ Grand Eap- 

 ids; Erastus N. Bates, Moliue. 



The same legislature passed an appropriation act giving the associa- 

 tion fl.OOO per year for two years. This money was largely expended 

 by sending expert butter makers to the State and county fairs, to act as 

 judges of dairy products, and to give instructions in making butter. 

 Samples of butter and milk outside of the regular exhibits were tested, 

 and object lessons were given which were well received. This resulted 

 in much good to the localities visited, many of the fair associations re- 

 questing us to continue the work after the appropriation for it was 

 exhausted. 



The association took an active part with the dairy organizations of 

 other States in securing the passage by Congress of the filled cheese bill, 

 taxing filled cheese. 



The annual meetings are held in the month of February each year, and 

 are usually of three days' duration. A program is always prepared, and 

 papers have been presented by men of national repute from other states, 

 as well as the best dairymen in our own State. The topics cover every 

 phase of the dairy question, and the discussions have been along a most 

 intelligent line, showing that our dairymen are seeking information to 

 make themselves more proficient in their chosen calling. 



An exhibit of dairy goods and dairy products has alwaj^s been held in 

 connection wath our annual meetings, which is becoming more popular 

 each year. The manufacturers of dairy goods have generously contrib- 

 uted special premiums to be competed for in all classes, so that there 

 has been a strong competition for the premiums. 



We believe, however, that the dairymen value the score they receive 

 at the hands of our judges far more than any premiums offered. 



In the year 1887 the legislature passed an act permitting the associa- 

 tion to have 3,000 copies of their annual report printed by the State. 

 Since that time a stenographer has been employed who has taken down 

 a full report, which has been published and distributed among the dairy- 

 men of the State. 



The benefits derived from this can be better estimated by examining 

 the reports of our annual meetings. The papers are more carefully and 

 intelligently prepared, and the dairymen are more eager to ask questions 

 and to have every point fully discussed, which shows a rapid growth of 

 interest and of dairy knowledge, which could not have been brought 

 about in any other way. A comparison of the products of our factories 

 and dairies with fifteen years ago will also show that our labors have not 

 been in vain in elevating the standard of Michigan dairy products. 



The association has a membership of about four hundred, of which onlv 

 about one hundred pay their annual dues, which is not sufficient to enable 



