304 IOWA DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 



As a company of breeders, we want to succeed. We earnestly talk 

 with each other about the present outlook, the supply, the future de- 

 mand, and at what prices. We notice with intense interest the various 

 conditions that arise that have a direct bearing on our line of business, 

 and because of this interest we are better prepared to meet these condi- 

 tions when they do come. 



I have scanned carefully the horizon of our business, and I fail to 

 find any clouds sufficiently large to cause us present anxiety. Present 

 conditions are good and future prospects are bright. 



After having spent almost a quarter of a century actively engaged 

 in the production of pork, I can truthfully say that I do not recall a 

 time in which the future prospects of our business were brighter than 

 they are at the present. President Roosevelt is doing all he can 

 to bring about a change in conditions that have been working an injury 

 to us, and, irrespective of politics, we should unite in thanking him 

 for what he has already done and for what he will do for us in the 

 future, and would say to him that even the heart of a hog-man can be 

 moved with admiration lor a man who has the courage to demand that 

 justice and fair play shall be accorded to each and every one alike. 

 May he succeed in what he has set out to do; and likewise, may 

 every hog man receive the punishment due him if he fails to be grateful 

 for the services rendered and for the benefits received. 



There is no indication that there will be a decrease in the demand 

 for pork. Our foreign market is constantly broadening and enlarging, 

 and the amount consumed at home will not be less. The natural increase 

 of our own population and the immense number of foreigners coming to 

 us each year, who will be a meat consuming rather than a me«at pro- 

 ducing class, are all healthy indicafions that there will be a good de- 

 mand for all our produce. 



In the pure bred department of our business, prospects are also very 

 encouraging. The pig crop is fairly good and herds are in good health, 

 — our state having been remarkably free from disease for some time. 

 There is an increasing demand for our stock. Farmers and stockmen 

 are appreciating the value of good blood and are becoming customers. 



The storm of boom sales and ficticious prices and its accompanying 

 evils has about passed over, and may it never return again to curse our 

 business. Next, may the speculator either become a straight breeder, 

 or step out of the business, and his place does not need to be filled. 



in no other line of business does confidence in man play a more im- 

 portant part than it does in ours. Purchasers of horses or cattle usually 

 buy only after a personal inspection, but four-fiths of our sales are made 

 through correspondence; hence the great need that we be both careful 

 and truthful, or we not only injure ourselves, but we cast a suspicion 

 upon all other breeders and do the business in general a great injury. 



The question is often asked: "Are there not so many men engaging 

 in the business that there will be an over production, and we cannot 

 find sale for all our stock?" I have no fear in that direction. It may 

 compel us to raise our standard and sell more of our poorer grades on 

 the market, which would be a good thing for both us and the business. 



