SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— FART VII 417 



"We want a university; we want a university! The Germans liave 

 it, and we want one." 



Somebody in that mob was speaking, and was asked this question: 



"What is a university?" 



And the ignorant man replied: "It is a place where you get free 

 bread and free beer, and we want a university." 



I thought that was funny, but, do you know, it has been growing 

 on me ever since I heard the story. To that poor person over in 

 Austria, bread and beer meant life, and I want to ask you if you have 

 ever stopped to think where our life-giving substances would be now, 

 and where they will be twenty or fifty years from now, if we fail to 

 keep up with the new problems that are confronting us? 



In closing, let me say this: If there were no agricultural institu- 

 tion in this state, the farmers of the state would rise to a man and 

 demand that it should be established, because of the benefits that they 

 know they receive from such an institution. It has been established. 

 So far as I know, it is performing a valuable service to the agricul- 

 turists of the state. But, friends, it seems to me that organized agri- 

 culture can not do a better thing to keep in close touch with its 

 agricultural, scientific institution. Would it not be an advantage to 

 you, as members of a strong, progressive agricultural organization, and 

 to your fellow-farmers, and an advantage to your college and experi- 

 ment station as well, if you would show an active interest in that or- 

 ganization by doing in Iowa what has been done in various states — 

 appointing a committee of competent members whose business it shall 

 be to visit that institution and take up with those who are attempting 

 to direct its affairs the questions that interest you? Is it spending its 

 money in a way to serve you best? We honestly believe it is; but it 

 would be worth a great deal to us if v/e could have you, who are closer 

 to the practical problems of the state • than we can possibly be, go 

 there through an appointed committee and go over the matter and 

 see for yourselves, and make suggestions to us as to ho.v that work 

 might be strengthened, and bring back a report to this organization as 

 to how your institution is serving the state. 



BUYING FEEDING CATTLE. 

 BY CHARLES O. CESSNA. 



Cattle feeding means soil fertility. The first step in cattle feeding 

 is buying feeders, and to handle them profitably they must be bought 

 at the right time and at the right price. The bulk of western cattle 

 comes to market during the months of August, September, October ana 

 November. The average buyer makes but one trip to market, buys when 

 he is there, and sometimes pays too much. It is all right to have a 

 competent commission man do your buying, but sixty per cent of the 

 cattle are bought by commission men who never saw a steer fed. The man 

 who has not fed cattle is not competent to select feeders. I have had an 

 experience of twenty-five years in buying, and yet I learn something 

 every year. 

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