208 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



bor respects his right, and we live nearer together, we enjoy more the 

 benefits and all the pleasures of this life — a greater percentage of us — 

 than in any large and congested community. I only mention this be- 

 cause to the agriculturist belongs the honest hard-working industry, the 

 right thought and the honest purpose of mind and heart. There is no 

 flattery in that. These are all truths that can be verified by practical 

 illustration every day in the walks of life, and I am sure every citizen 

 will corroborate what I say in that respect. 



Now, then, we have assembled here as the members of the State 

 Dairy Association to consider questions which interest the agriculturists 

 of the State. You may ask what is the tise of us meeting here year after 

 year in first one city and then another. Why is it necessary. I ask, to 

 have any organizations anywhere, of any enterprise in any community? 

 We all know the reason why. We advance our ideas, exchange argu- 

 ments and opinions, then draw our own coclusions and get the best 

 results; beides, mankind likes to meet others of his race. He likes 

 TO meet other people from the different parts of the State, to visit and 

 converse with them. It broadens his mind, it enlarges him, makes him 

 a better man, a broader thinker. He does not stay in one rut all the 

 time. He loves to affiliate with his neighbors. Here we meet to dis- 

 cuss subjects of interest to the dairy industry of the State of Iowa. 

 Many men kindly give their time and their work to advance this enter- 

 prise, or this branch of the dairy industry. They do it often with ex- 

 pense and a great deal of sacrifice on their part, and it is true that very 

 often the same men have to be called on year after year. It is well it 

 is so, because they are well equipped to discuss the various subjects 

 which may come up, and it is not always an easy matter to get people 

 to fill these different positions, read papers or make addresses on the 

 various subjects that may come before them or may require discussion. 

 Consequently, it is often necessary for the same persons year after year 

 10 deliver these addresses or read papers upon the subjects and ques- 

 tions which may arise and that may need discussion. 



The dairy industry of the State of Iowa is no small matter. We 

 have, I presume, one hundred and fifty to two hundred thousand farmers 

 engaged in the dairy business in the State of Iowa; at least there are 

 fourteen hundred thousand cows to represent the dairy industry in the 

 State. I will not tire you by quoting statistics. I merely want 

 to call your attention to this matter and show that it is of no small 

 importance, and that it is an industry that should not be neglected, and 

 it Is right that the people should discuss all matters connected with it 

 at these meetings fully and openly in order to arrive at the best con- 

 clusions. 



It brings in revenue to the State. It has been estimated, from the 

 milk, butter and cheese alone, of twenty-eight to thirty million dollars 

 a year. But this is not all; it is so interwoven with the other branches 

 of the agricultural industry of the farm that it is almost impossible to 

 compute the real -value of the cow to the farm. It gives employment to 

 a greater number of the members of the family and the help that it may 

 have, and the family, as they grow up. will follow the industry. They 



