THIRTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART IX 517 



farmers and managed by Mr. R. Place, a high class man as well as an ex- 

 cellent cheese manufacturer from Herkimer county, New York, who has 

 many years since passed away. The farmers, after running the factory 

 for two years and being unable to handle it successfully, came to us. 

 Fowler Bros., to handle their output on commission. The following year 

 the farmers effected a sale of the factory to Mr. Place, and the cheese was 

 made and handled by Fowler Bros, and Place. A little later the Fowler 

 Company was organized and Mr. Place sold the factory to said company. 

 The market for milk thus made was so satisfactory to the farmers that 

 Mr. Lower, who had moved from this city to Janesville, was instrumental 

 in inducing us to erect a factory there, which has run continuously ever 

 since. Some years later, Joseph White of this city, who at that time was 

 one of our patrons, bought a farm near Reinbeck. He also induced us 

 to place one there. At one time we had four factories running, three in 

 this county. In addition to supplying our retail trade, we had a fine 

 trade with wholesalers in Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri, Leaven- 

 worth and Atchison, Kansas, Des Moines and Sioux City, Iowa. We also 

 shipped by carloads to Rochester, New York, outselling their own New 

 York make in that market. 



Thus it will be seen that, though the margins were close, we had 

 worked up quite a trade. The advantages in our favor, which were shared 

 by our patrons, were, they had cheaper feed for cows than did the farmers 

 of the east and we were able to produce an article that the year round 

 outsold practically any brands shipped in, and, as this movement saved 

 the freight on the cheese from the east, also the freight on the butter, 

 which would have been made from the milk in its stead, to the east, these 

 conditions were all favorable to its being successful. Yet, I learn Wis- 

 consin last year produced in round numbers $22,000,000 worth, and we 

 learn several millions found market in this state. Why should this be 

 necessary more than to ship butter from there for state supply? The 

 fact that cheese is the best substitute for high priced meats also at this 

 time makes this question all the more interesting and chsese seems to be 

 in greater demand now than when meats were cheaper. I ask again, why 

 should cheese be shipped from the east to supply our demands any more 

 than should butter, poultry, eggs, pork, beef, and mutton, and the grains 

 and feeds as well with which to produce them? 



This subject really should be "Greater Iowa" from the dairy stand- 

 point. Now, I want to be thoroughly understood; the least of all my busi- 

 ness affairs is my investment in the cheese industry and my interests 

 in lands is no small amount, so I want you all to know that I attempt 

 to discuss this question only as a brother farmer and from the farmer's 

 standpoint in the interest of the farmer. None of these questions rela- 

 tive to agriculture should be considered, in my opinion, except the interest 

 of the farmer come first. So remember, greater to me than any form of 

 dairying or all forms combined is that the 225,000 farmers of the greatest 

 state in the union with its untold value, should get instruction of most 

 value to them. 



In considering this subject, we must also connect with it its twin sister 

 the whole milk creamery. For, in a certain sense they are one, and the 



