346 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



goes the same road. Others, too, there are who pay reasonable prices 

 where competition compels it, but who are actually stealing from the pa- 

 tron whom he has in his power. Still others there are who are willfully 

 and with purpose aforethought still loading their butter with water to an 

 extent beyond the standard set by law, trusting that the revenue oflBcer 

 may not reach them. Such men are unwilling to compete on a fair and 

 open basis, but are willing to shelter themselves behind their rascality, 

 which they call business perception. 



This may sound to some as an exaggerated condition of affairs brought 

 about by the present competition. 'Tis true that the major portion, the 

 great bulk of the industry in this state, is on firm, honest basis, and we 

 as dairymen are proud of it. On the other hand there is much that adds 

 to the discouragement of increased dairying throughout the state. Pa- 

 trons have the right to honest weights and honest tests whether it comes 

 from a centralized plant, a private creamery or a co-operative one, from 

 agent or anyone engaged in the testing of cream. Over reading and 

 under reading are alike to be condemned as being inimical if not fatal to 

 interests represented here today. It affects the competition between manu- 

 facturers very vitally. One per cent may not mean much to you or to 

 me here, yet one per cent on the 25 per cent cream may increase or de- 

 crease the overrun 5 per cent and either put us out of business or place 

 us in a position to crush out honest competition. It also affects the rela- 

 tions existing between manufacturer and producer. The producers are not 

 getting correct tests, and I fear that there are many instances where they 

 do not, not because of any intentional dishonesty on the part of the oper- 

 ator, but because of ignorance of principles and practices involved in the 

 correct manipulation of the Babcock test, there can be but distrust and 

 dissatisfaction in place of that co-operation and harmony that should and 

 ought to exist. I can recall in our work with the short course men an 

 instance where as much as 5 per cent difference was made by four men in 

 testing cream out of the same sample. Fancy, if you will, what sort of 

 tests are now being handed out to the producers of Iowa by agents who 

 have never received any special training in the sampling and testing of 

 cream and who are not suflBciently interested to know just how variations 

 in test affects the producer and the manufacturer and dairying in gen- 

 eral in this as well as other states. An intelligent appreciation of the 

 correct value of testing in its relation to progress in dairying cannot be 

 too strongly emphasized. I fear in some of our creameries that the pro- 

 ducer has some justice in his accusation that the Babcock test is largely 

 a matter of guess-work, if not actual stealing. What standard shall you 

 and I adopt in regard to this important question? What standard shall 

 you and I insist shall be enforced in this state of Iowa? The producer 

 has also the right to fair returns for his product. I fear he does not 

 always get it. Now, I am not one who would confine the income of in- 

 vestors to a paltry 3 and 4 per cent interest on money invested. They 

 should have over and above the man who sits in his chair and lends his 

 money out under safe security. To the shrewd business men of foresight, 

 faith and initiative who are willing to risk their time and money through 

 years of depression as well as prosperity, I take off my hat and would 

 grant them all that they are entitled to for their courage and enterprise. 



