166 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



that balance each, other. Clover, rape and alfalfa and their value to 

 the pork producer. Some facts gained by experience and more opinions 

 gathered from observation. T^e unity of interest existing between 

 the breeder of hogs to be used for breeding purposes and he who breeds 

 for pork only. There is a growing recognition of the necessity of using 

 mature breeding stock in so far as it is possible. An expression is m^ade 

 in favor of changing classes at shows so that the difference in ages 

 in a class would not be so great. 



The annual meeting of the Iowa Swine Breeders' Association 

 took place at Des Moines, Tuesday, June i6th. There has not 

 within the past decade been a meeting at which the attendance 

 was reduced to so small a number. There was a failure of per- 

 haps one half of the program as had been arranged. Notwith- 

 standing these discouragements, however, a most interesting ses- 

 sion followed, and there have been few former meetings at whicli 

 so much really practical information has been brought up in. the 

 after discussions. The injection of the corn idea was well re- 

 ceived, and the entire evening session was devoted to that subject 

 alone. 



President Harvey Johnson of Logan, Iowa, and Secretary 

 George S. Prine of Oskaloosa, Iowa, were both present and Pres- 

 ident Johnson opened the meeting by saying : 



Another year has passed and we have assembled in our annual meet- 

 ing. As we glance back over the year we feel within us that sense of 

 gratefulness that should have a place in every man's life. Grateful that 

 our lives havt been spared and that so few of our fellow breeders have 

 fallen by the wayside; grateful for health and strength; grateful for 

 peace and continued prosperity; and grateful that we are citizens of the 

 best State in the best nation on earth ; two facts that are now established 

 beyond the point of controversy. 



To us the past year has been one of reasonable prosperity and the 

 indications are that the present conditions will prevail during the coming 

 year, and I am glad to see it, for I believe that all worthy persons and 

 worthy enterprises are entitled to success. It is gratifying to us to note 

 the growth and development of the live stock industry of our country, and 

 especially that part of it with which we are identified. The breeding and 

 packing of pork has within the last generation come to be a marvel and 

 its figures, both in point of number and in value, are almost beyond com- 

 prehension. 



It is the leading industry of our State today and were it to suddenly 

 stop there is no other branch of industry that would not feel the effects 

 of it. ^Ve as swine breeders are engaged in producing the foundation 

 material for this great industry, and upon us to certain extent depends 

 its success. Knowing this, it is certainly expected of us that we will 



