374 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



thing to criticize or find fault with a patron in the presence of an- 

 other patron. You ought not do it. If you have trouble with the 

 farmer don 't call him down in a crowd. The thing to do is to drive 

 out to his place and talk it over. 



President: I agree with Mr. Stephenson. What we need is a 

 little more nerve used in a tactful way. 

 Adjournment. 



THURSDAY EVENING, 8 O'CLOCK. 



President : It will be something new to hold an Iowa State 

 Dairy convention without Prof. G. L. McKay, but we are very 

 sorry to say that he can not be with us tonight, but he has sent a 

 worthy representative in Mr. Bouska, his assistant, who will read 

 Prof. McKay's paper. 



PAPER 



BY PROF. G. L. MCKAY, CHICAGO, ILL. 



Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is needless for me to say 

 that it is always a pleasure for me to attend an Iowa convention. In 

 coming to this convention, I am reminded of that popular song, "I Love 

 my Wife, but Oh You Kid," I would say, "I love Illinois, but Oh You 

 lowans." 



I have often wondered whether the people in this magnificent state 

 that is known practically the world over for the productiveness of its 

 soil, fully realize the esteem in which it is held. A yew years ago, when 

 returning from a trip to Northwest Canada, I spent part of a day at 

 North Bay, where I met a number of tourists from this and other coun- 

 tries. Two prominent gentlemen sat opposite me at table; one a distin- 

 guished physician, and the other a judge. Some remarks were exchanged 

 as to what states we represented. I said that I was from the state of 

 Iowa, when one of the gentlemen said, "You are from the black-loam 

 state," and he further remarked that he had traveled around the world 

 several times and that he had no particular interest in Iowa but in his 

 judgment Iowa was the best and most fertile country in the world. 

 While these remarks brought out some controversy among our Canadian 

 friends, I could not help but feel from my own observation, that the 

 gentleman had spoken the truth. 



I believe that the time is not far distant when the land in this state 

 will be worth almost double its present price. This will be brought about 

 by more intensified farming, When we consider what land is selling 

 for in some of the European countries, the prophecy that I have made is 

 a very moderate one. 



Mr. A. Jensen from Humboldt county, Caliafornia, called at my office 

 some days ago. I was surprised to hear him make the statement that 

 land was worth from $300 to $450 per acre in his county. I asked him 



