270 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



At our last annual meeting there was some inclination to find fault 

 with some of our products, especially butter from gathered cream cream- 

 eries. There were those who intimated that our buttermakers were not 

 as progressive as those of other states. I dislike to admit that this is so, 

 as I believe our boys not so much at fault as their patrons who, by their 

 lax methods, are delivering cream that is far from what it should be. 



The buttermaker of today must be something of an educator. The 

 more he knows about the cow and how to feed her the better he is 

 equipped to fill his position. 



The very nature of this work will not allow his spending much time 

 with his patrons. A few instructors traveling over the state calling on 

 the dairymen at their homes, giving advice as to the best methods of 

 breeding, feeding, care of stock, and especially the care of the hand 

 separator — if one is in use — would go a long way toward increasing our 

 product and its value. About 100,000,000 pounds of butter have been 

 shipped out of the state in the last year; $25,000,000 worth at 25 cents per 

 pound. If, by better methods in handling the cream the value could be 

 increased one cent per pound, which is not at all impossible, the snug 

 sum of $1,000,000 would be realized, while the improved methods of 

 breeding, feeding and weeding out the poor cows should add as much 

 more, making a net gain of $2,000,000. 



The organization of test associations would be of great value in getting 

 rid of the poor cow. We believe that their work among our dairymen 

 will result in great good and profit for all. 



An appropriation of $10,000 by our state is none too large for the pur- 

 pose of co-operating with the local creameries and dairymen in conduct- 

 ing these co-operative test associations. The expenditure of the money 

 should be under the direction of the state. 



One of the plans that has been looked on with much favor was that of 

 assessing the creameries a tenth mill to help pay these instructors, who 

 at the same time could act as inspectors. We believe a majority of the 

 creameries were in favor of this plan; if our state would make an ap- 

 propriation to assist in payment of these expenses. This is a matter 

 worthy of our best thought and consideration. Our laws for the eradica- 

 tion and suppression of tuberculosis are not what they should be. A law 

 permitting the shipping in of untested cattle and allowing the owner to 

 pasture them in a place adjoining those that have been tested is not a 

 just one. Some provision should be made to compensate the owner for 

 cattle condemned by the state. 



The National Dairy Show, the National Buttermakers' Asso.ciation and 

 kindred organizations are entitled to our hearty support. One of the 

 reasons we have not been able to get more at the hands of our lawmakers 

 is a lack of organized effort on our part. 



If we will stand by these different organizations and through them 

 make our wants known, we shall be able to accomplish much for the bet- 

 terment of our condition in the future. 



When our association was invited to hold its meeting in this beautiful 

 and thriving city our attention was attracted to you motto, "Des Moines 

 Does Things." What better one could you have adopted? Why should 

 we not make this our watchword? What we hope for is success. Show 



