578 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



At the completion of these two specials all but thirty-two towns in 

 which creameries were located had been visited by dairy trains and fully 

 185,000 of the 212,000 farmers in the State had had a chance to attend 

 one of these meetings. Of the ninety-nine counties, ninety-four have been 

 visited and from one to fourteen train meetings held in each. The five 

 counties not reached by this means have each had a number of gatherings 

 which were addressed by lecturers furnished by the Association. 



As a result of the growing interest in dairying the farmers' institutes 

 have been giving it a prominent place on their programs. During the 

 winter of 1912-13 thirty-two of these were addressed by representatives 

 of the Association. 



Permanent dairy organizations have been fostered in various sections, 

 chief among which is the. Fayette County Breeders' Association. This 

 organization is self supporting in every way, and is on a very substantial 

 foundation. By establishing local clubs, the State Association is enabled 

 to carry on its work in a more systematic manner. 



Several dairy short courses were also conducted. These were in the 

 older dairy communities where detailed information was 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 pa- 

 trons 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, bulletins 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 prominent place 

 in their columns. 



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

 ment of a great dairy show in conjunction with the annual convention. 

 This year the show was unsurpassed by any similar event. It brings 

 dairy cattle breeders with their choice animals from every part of the 

 United States and offers the farmers of not only Iowa but the Mississippi 

 Valley an opportunity to become 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 

 prosperous farmers. The convention proper is held in a building on the 

 grounds, and subjects of interest to the buttermakers, creamerymen 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 



