FIFTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART III 201 



out doubt, the industry that brings the greatest profit to the farmers of 

 Iowa and is the one industry that tends, more than any other, to main- 

 taining and building greater the fertility of Iowa farms. 



As a matter of fact, Iowa is one of the three greatest dairy states in 

 the United States. The 506 creamery concerns in the state of Iowa receive 

 milk from 103,319 patrons, milking 687,564 cows; 240,347,153 pounds of 

 milk and 256,661,863 pounds of cream, from which was made 92,865,921 

 pounds of butter, which sold at an average price of 31.78 cents per pound, 

 netting a gross return of $29,413,902.27. 



When the fact is called to mind that there are 195,000 farms in Iowa, 

 and that 103,319 of these farms supply milk to creameries, regardless of 

 those who take their milk to condensories and cheese factories, or ship 

 their cream just over the line to other states, surely the fact must become 

 impressive that our county fairs should make a strenuous effort to do 

 their part in helping to advance this great and rapidly growing industry. 



Were these farmers who are bringing an income of $29^413,902.27 to 

 the state of Iowa from milk and cream alone, regardless of what they 

 are doing by way of raising cattle and rendering fertile fields of Iowa, 

 doing anywhere near as well as it is possible for them to do„ then it would 

 be excusable for the secretaries of the county fairs not to put forth a 

 special effort. But the figures I have given indicate that the average 

 cow in this state is producing less than 140 pounds of butter, when she 

 should be doing twice as much. 



The consensus of opinion has brought about the conclusion that two 

 things are necessary for doubling the production of the Iowa cow; first, 

 care and feed; second, better cows. 



Strenuous efforts are being made in all parts of the state to encourage 

 both of these factors. However, I am prepared to say to you. Secretary 

 Rigby, that no organization is in so good a position as the county and 

 district fairs of this state to encourage the milking of better cows more 

 properly cared for. 



Furthermore, I am in a position to say to you that if the fairs will 

 revise their premium lists so that the dairy animal will be offered prizes 

 equal to those offered for beef cattle, and reasonable efforts be put forth 

 on the part of the secretaries, every fair in this state will, within the 

 next year or two, be able to present to the farmers interested in dairying, 

 who would attend, very excellent herds and specimens of the five great 

 dairy breeds. 



Casual observation alone renders impressive the fact that interest in 

 dairying and better cows on the farm is rapidly growing among the 

 farmers of Iowa. The local fair that is to continue securing the support 

 of the leading farmers in the community where it is held must recognize 

 this fact and do its share, as it has in the past, in behalf of advancing 

 and rendering permanent Iowa's agriculture, which is her greatest asset. 



Don't misunderstand me. Secretary Rigby, I am not saying a word 

 in discouragement of the local fairs, or what they are already doing, 

 because my experience leads me to know that these fairs are among the 

 greatest of promoting factors. I merely want to call your attention, and 

 the attention of the secretaries ot the fairs, that we are, in many instances, 

 overlooking an opportunity to do great good. 



