128 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



To one and all I wish to say, "I thank you." We shall appreciate 

 your help in the future, and I hope and trust that the Corn Belt Meat 

 Producers' Association may always be conducted in such a way as to 

 merit your favor and support. 



In conclusion I wish to make some reference to the future of your 

 organization, which I feel depends largely on the interest each individ- 

 ual, member takes in its success. As I have repeatedly said, your officers 

 can not make this organization a success without the co-op'eration of the 

 local members. It is the personal touch of each member upon his neigh- 

 bor that keeps up the interest and advances your association's standing 

 from year to year. This organization has proven that it can secure 

 splendid results and be of great value to the farmers and feeders, and 

 it is up to the members to see that it is maintained and properly con- 

 ducted. In my judgment, the great danger to your organization is in 

 the membership concluding that because there is nothing of a spec- 

 tacular nature being accomplished, which would tend to keep the asso- 

 ciation in the limelight, there is no further work for it to do, and hence 

 no necessity to continue its existence. To all who might have such a 

 thought in mind, I wish to say that the value of your organization is 

 not measured by what it accomplishes on the surface. No one can 

 tell what unjust measures, rules and practices might be imposed upon 

 the farmers and stockmen if it were not for the fact that your associa- 

 tion stands as a watchdog over your interests, preventing many unjust 

 attacks from being made, as well as defeating many that are made. 

 Now, what will happen if you allow this association to go to pieces? 

 Simply this: The questions of rate advances, poor service and accom- 

 modations, bad legislation, and all kindred subjects affecting you, will 

 come up and be disposed of without your being represented or having 

 any voice whatever in the matter; and it is to be presumed that they 

 will not be disposed of in such a satisfactory way as if you had repre- 

 sentatives taking part and looking after your interests. 



As a parting admonition, let me urge upon you, one and all, the 

 maintenance of your organization. It has proven its worth, it has many 

 times over justified its existence, and it will continue so to do in tho 

 future if you will encourage and sustain it. 



I thank you. 



The following- paper was then read by George A. Wells, Secretary 

 of the AVestern Grain Dealers' Association: 



THE APPLICATION OF THE MOISTURE TEST IN GRADING CORN. 



BY GEOKGE A. WELLS. 



Secretary of the Western Grain Dealers' Association. 



Corn is the most wonderful and resourceful of all grains, because it 

 contains so many different constituent elements that apply to the needs 

 and welfare of humanity. 



