514 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



to advance, the cow, which is the foundation of dairying and the source 

 of raw materia], must be given consideration. 



In order to render certain and make rapid this improvement, the of- 

 ficers of the association appealed to the state legislature for assistance. 

 It was not a difficult task to demonstrate that an appropriation should be 

 rnade to assist this organization of creamerymen and dairymen to return 

 a great wealth and prosperity to the state. As a result a bill was passed 

 by the 33d general assembly, authorizing the appropriation of $10,000, 

 and one by the 34th general assembly, for $7,500, for the purpose of 

 furthering the dairy interests. 



Plans were at once outlined to increase the production of the cow on 

 the farm. A dairy expert, whose duties were to direct the expenditure 

 of the appropriation to best advantage, was selected. As a result, a very 

 active campaign was begun, and during the three and one-half years 

 which have elapsed, the concentrated efforts of all those interested in bet- 

 ter dairying have practically revolutionized this industry on the Iowa 

 farm. Extensive as are the results already apparent, there are vast op- 

 portunities for further educational work in this important department of 

 the farm. Although many have become impressed with the fact that the 

 good, well bred dairy cow, properly cared for, is the most profitable ani- 

 mal, there are yet thousands who have not learned that cows differ greatly 

 in production and profits. There are many who should yet be taught that, 

 of all animals, the dairy cow is most efficient in conserving and building 

 up soil fertility, in addition to insuring immediate and certain profits to 

 her owner. In many instances, where the dairy cow was formerly ig- 

 nored and considered a necessary evil, she now occupies the most impor- 

 tant position in building up a permanent agriculture. 



THE DAIRY TBAINS. 



As a means of reaching the largest number of farmers and dairymen 

 in the shortest possible time the special train was used as a medium. 

 During the winter of 1910 the first special dairy train operated by the 

 association over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad in the southern 

 part of the state met with exceptional success. The results of the lectures 

 delivered upon this first train were of such practical value that the 

 people along the same road demanded a similar opportunity the following 

 winter. The department granted their request and in January, 1911, began 

 a tour over the same territory, meeting much larger and more interested 

 crowds than on the previous visit. The Chicago Great Western and Chi- 

 cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul roads were traversed during the same season. 

 In 1913 the Illinois Central and Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific furnished 

 the equipment for the Iowa State Dairy Association to extend the infor- 

 mation given by its lecturers. The six special trains made 496 stops 

 where lectures and demonstrations were given to more than 200,000 in- 

 iercsted iarmers and their families. The trains have been equipped 

 with material for assisting the lecturers in making the information given 

 more practical. Realizing the importance of agricultural education to the 

 younger generation a special car for the school children has been carried 

 during the past year. This feature has proved very popular and has re- 



