THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX 515 



ceived the hearty endorsement of all the school superintendents along the 

 various lines. 



The results of these trains may be found in every locality that they 

 visited. Farmers have become more interested. They have substituted 

 good cows for poor ones; placed at the heads of their herds pure bred 

 dairy sires; erected silos; organized cow testing associations; are raising 

 clover and alfalfa hay where less valuable timothy hay formerly grew, 

 and in fact, are demonstrating in many ways that the information given 

 in the lectures can be applied in a practical manner on the average farm. 

 Due to this success the department has had requests, and arrangements 

 have been completed, for the operation of similar trains during the com- 

 ing month. 



CREAMERY MEETINGS. 



The dairy association has been active in perfecting dairymen's organ- 

 izations throughout the state. It has co-operated with the state dairy 

 commissioner's department in holding meetings at creameries where, due 

 to local conditions, interest has been somewhat lost. Since the employ- 

 ment of the state dairy expert, 184 meetings have been held for the as- 

 sistance of creameries. 



farmers' institutes. 



The lecturers employed by the organization have received many re- 

 quests from the secretaries of farmers' institutes to deliver lectures on 

 subjects pertaining to the development of the industry on the Iowa farm. 

 Although this phase of the work has just been inaugurated during the 

 past year, fifty-four farmers' institutes have been visited. 



NORTH IOWA DAIRY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION. 



One of the most potent factors demonstrating the opportunities for 

 improving dairy conditions in Iowa has been revealed by the North Iowa 

 Dairy Improvement Association. This organization was founded by the 

 state dairy association with the assistance of the state dairy commis- 

 sioners. It comprises nine-co-operative creameries located in "Worth, Win- 

 nebago and Cerro Gordo counties. The object of this co-operative society 

 is to assist the creameries in manufacturing the high grade product and 

 also to aid the farmers in increasing the production of their cows. The 

 organization is self-sustaining and employs a dairy expert who is active 

 in promoting every phase of the work that would be practical and helpful. 

 A bulletin issued by the dairy expert on this phase of the association's 

 v/ork reveals some interesting facts regarding the low production of the 

 average Iowa cow and the necessity for her improvement. 



THE IOWA DAIRY CATTLE CONGRESS. 



At the 33d annual convention of the Iowa State Dairy Association 

 the production side of the industry was given more attention than be- 

 fore. Prizes were offered for dairy cattle and a small exhibit of dairy 

 cattle was shown, as well as a large quantity of butter being sent for 

 competition. The next year it was decided to hold a dairy show in 



