FOURTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VII 545 



required. These were three days in length and instruction in 

 breeding, feeding, testing, dairy cattle judging, etc., was given. 

 Although the special dairy short course was new the attendance 

 was very good at each of those conducted. 



The creamery picnic during the summer months has become 

 very popular, and a larger number of these were held during 

 the past year than ever before. Such gatherings are an excellent 

 means of bringing the patrons together in a social way as well 

 as to hear the practical discussion of subjects essential to the 

 improvement of conditions on the farm. 



During the spring and fall months when the work is urgent 

 on the farm and it is therefore difficult to hold meetings, bul- 

 letins are sent to the local newspapers. These contain timely 

 suggestions which assist the farmer in solving the problems 

 which confront him with reference to his dairy herd. They are 

 written with the idea of assisting the creameries in improving 

 the quantity and quality of the raw product. The newspapers 

 are lending their assistance by giving the information a prom- 

 inent place in their columns. 



One of the most important features of the work has been the 

 establishment of a great dairy show in conjunction with the an- 

 nual convention. This year the show was unsurpassed by any 

 similar event. It brings dairy cattle breeders with their choice ani- 

 mals from every part of the United States and offers the farmers of 

 not only Iowa but the Mississippi Valley an opportunity to be- 

 come acquainted with the various breeds. Premiums are offered 

 for butter, cheese and milk which, in addition to the display of 

 dairy appliances and farm implements, bring thousands of pros- 

 perous farmers. The convention proper is held in a building on 

 the grounds, and subjects of interest to the buttermakers, cream- 

 erymen and dairymen are discussed by authorities of national 

 reputation. 



The Iowa State Dairy Association in all of its work has been 

 assisted in a large measure by the other dairy interests of the 

 State. Chief among these is the Dairy and Food Department 

 which had a number of speakers on the trains throughout the 

 tours and also co-operated in all the other work. The individual 

 dairymen have also sacrificed portions of their time to educating 

 their brother farmers in better methods and giving them the 

 benefit of valuable experience. The Dairy Department of the 

 Iowa State College has also given assistance from time to time. 

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