324 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



To carry on this work it is necessary to have funds. If every cream- 

 ery in the state would contribute $5 to $10 each, employ a man to look 

 after this work, to secure the name of every man who patronizes a cream- 

 ery, circulate printed matter calling attention to the need of more dairy 

 inspectors to visit the farms, then go to the primaries and vote for the 

 men that will support them in the next general assembly we might be 

 able to get the needed appropriations. 



Representatives are elected to represent the people and if the people 

 ask for this class of legislation they will be apt to get it. If they do not 

 ask for anything it is certain they will get nothing. 



A great many creameries are asking for inspectors to come and stay 

 with them three or four days, go with them over their routes to help 

 get a better quality of cream. This is exactly what should be done. It 

 is the beginning at the foundation of the whole evil. This is impossible 

 with the present force. If this was done we would not get around once in 

 five years to all the creameries. 



Iowa should have more inspectors; without them we can do no more 

 than has been done. In union there is strength, and if we unite our- 

 selves in one common cause we will have a very different answer to 

 the question, "What's the matter with Iowa?" 



The value of thought brings us in touch with another question. We 

 have a number of creameries that you might call weak creameries. 

 They represent a part of the number we have on the list. These cream- 

 eries are in need of help. Help to bring them up to a more solid work- 

 ing basis. The point is, are we going to give them state aid? Aid that 

 will bring them up to this basis. The present force is not strong enough 

 in numbers to spare the time. The state of Minnesota has nine in- 

 spectors and Wisconsin has about the same number. Iowa should have 

 at least six, then we could commence to show you improvements in Iowa 

 butter. If we could improve the value of our butter one-quarter cent a 

 pound it would mean $250,000 a year; if we could improve it one-half 

 cent a pound it would mean $500,000 a year, and it has been estimated 

 that the loss from poor grade of cows and the loss from poor grade of 

 milk and cream delivered to the creameries brings up the grand total to 

 five or six million dollars a year. This includes all the dairy states. 



The question now before us is this: Would an investment of a few 

 thousand dollars, in addition to what we have to put an additional force 

 in the field, bring results that would be beneficial? 



I may be overenthusiastic in this matter, but I want to see Iowa at 

 the front. Even if this convention does not take any action along the 

 topic just discussed it may bring the thought forcibly enough among the 

 creamery and dairymen to ascertain if the candidates for the next elec- 

 tion are friendly to our interests. 



I have made a few trips in the rural districts to find out the condi- 

 tions and it is enough to satisfy me that two-thirds of the trouble re- 

 sulting from low grades of butter is from the cream coming from unclean 

 places and from dirty and unwashed separators. I have found hand 

 separators that were so filthy dirty and the place where they were kept 

 so cussed rotten that I would compare an old "swill pail" and a hog pen 

 a decent place besides them. Tell me how a buttermaker is going to 



