278 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'. 



PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



W. Z. SWALLOW, WAUKEE, IOWA. 



I want to congratulate this association, as well as the farmers of 

 Iowa who make hog raising a branch of their business, upon the satis- 

 factory conditions of the past year, as well as the promise of a continu- 

 ance of fairly good times in our line of work. The pork market of the 

 year has shown no extremes of prices, either high or low, but a range in 

 price has ruled that at all times left a fair profit to the producer. To 

 my mind, this is a state of affairs which affords greater benefit to the 

 main body of hog raisers, and to the breeders of registered stock, than 

 any iperiod of unusually high figures. Etxtremely liigh prices, except in 

 time of extraordinary short supply of hogs, are pretty sure to lead to 

 an unhealthy stimulation, over production, and a slump to a point as 

 much too low. At times the low point has been below actual cost of 

 growing. I believe it is generally conceded that the packers, through 

 unlawful trusts or combinations, are so controlling prices at the great 

 markets as to deprive us of profits that are rightfully ours, and I do 

 not wish to be understood as being in any but strenuous opposition tjO' 

 their unfair domination. I suggest that our committee on resolutions 

 present a resolution which shall voice the sentiments of the Iowa Swine 

 Breeders as a body on that subject. 



I am pleased that since our last meeting the good sound sense of 

 breeders has kept them from indulgence in the unhealthy boom ideas 

 that have been a prominent feature among our eastern brothers. 



So far as I have learned, losses from disease have been very small, 

 though a few localities liave suffered, and one or two of them quite sev- 

 erely. 



The lessons of the great show at St. Louis last season should lead us 

 to use both care and caution in our recommendation of judges for the 

 Iowa State Fair of 1905. 



As breeders, we feel that there is encouragement as well as an out- 

 look for good trade in the excellent crop prospect, increased corn acreage 

 and maintenance of fair pork prices. 



Reports from Iowa breeders indicate that there is something of an 

 increase in the pig crop over last year, and that losses of young pigs 

 have been about normal. 



The good that has been done in the interest of breeders through tue 

 work of this organization during the year just closed, shci'id encourage 

 every breeder to show his confidence and approval by becoming a mem- 

 ber, and by attending every meeting. Since our last .June session we 

 have succeeded in having the management of the Iowa State Fair 

 increase the number of classes, increase the number of places in each 



