TENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK-PART VIII 375 



what the farmers were engaged in, that they could afford to pay such 

 high prices, when he replied, "exclusive dairying." He further stated 

 that in that particular locality they had green grass the year around, 

 as they were close to the sea. In addition to this, he stated that they 

 had not confined themselves to any particular breed of dairy cattle but 

 that they had for years been breeding up their cows for dairy purposes 

 and that their average butter production was over 300 pounds of butter- 

 fat per cow. 



This set me to thinking and comparing the possibilities of our lanfl 

 with theirs. It is true that we do not have green grass the year around 

 and where cows do not get succulent food the year around they cannot 

 produce as economically. Succulent food, however, can be provided by 

 the use of the silo. An acre of the average Iowa corn will produce 

 enough ensilage to feed three cows 40 pounds each per day for a period 

 of 200 days, or during the feeding period. It is surprising and I might 

 say amazing when we come to think of it, what few silos we have in this 

 great corn state of Iowa — a state that can rightfully claim to have the 

 greatest agricultural journals that are published on the Continent, as 

 well as one of the leading dairy journals. 



These papers are constantly giving information on the most economic 

 methods of farming. In addition to this it is our boasted pride that we 

 have one of the greatest agricultural colleges to be found in the world. 

 In connection with this college we have a great extension department 

 that is constantly giving out information to the public. Yet, in the face 

 of all this, only a few silos can be seen in the whole state of Iowa. 



I visited the Province of Ontario, Canada, during the past summer, 

 stopping at the Ontario Agricultural College and when discussing the 

 question of silo construction with Prof. Day, I learned that in the ad- 

 joining township one contractor had put in no less than 36 cement silos 

 during the past year. 



Some years ago these people started in with wooden silos. They have 

 demonstrated to their own satisfaction that the silo is an indispensable 

 adjunct to economic dairying. They are now building permanent silos. 

 In some places steel boiler plate treated with a certain paint that pre- 

 vents the metal from corroding is used in the construction. 



Possibly the reason why Iowa has not taken up with the silo question 

 more rapidly is because the state is so prosperous and adapted to so 

 many lines of agriculture that farmers have never found as yet, the 

 necessity of making any great change in their system of farming. If a 

 man is well clothed, well housed and getting three good meals every day, 

 he does not see the necessity of experimenting so as to better his condi- 

 tion. This is true politically as well as otherwise. As long as the coun- 

 try is prosperous the people are contented and satisfied with the party 

 in power. Land, however, is becoming so valuable that methods of farm- 

 ing practical ten years ago, are not satisfactory today. 



In the kindergarten system of education the children are taught by 

 observation. It is staid that "seeing is believing.' That common expres- 

 sjpp, "I am from Missouri, you have got to show me," is appropriate 



