THIRD ANNUAL VKAK BOOK — PART V. 191 



PART V. 



IOWA IMPROVED STOCK BREEDERS' 

 ASSOCIATION. 



TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL SESSION. 



The twenty-ninth animal convention of the Iowa Improved Stock 

 Breders' Association convened in the opera house at Newton, 

 Iowa. January 2 Lst, at 1 :30 p. in. The meeting was called to order 

 \,\ Secretary E. II. White. A letter from President W. M. Mc- 

 Fadden was read, stating his inability to he present. 



Mi - . Foresl of Miles was appointed temporary chairman. 



ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT. 



W. M. McFadden. 



The underlying principle of live stock breeding is supposed to be 

 like begets like." For some years we have been rapidly developing the 

 idea that farming and stock raising is a profession, and that numerous 

 scientific principles are the basis upon which successful farming is con- 

 ducted, but the experiences of the past two years by Iowa farmers are 

 calculated to shake both these theories. 



It is doubtful if the history of agriculture in this state has ever seen 

 two years so remarkably different in all respects. A year ago we thought 

 we had laid by many rules and helpful hints for dry weather; all our 

 experience, all our study had been along the line of what was best to 

 do to combat the troubles and annoyances incident to a dry season. All 

 of these carefully cherished rules must now be decidedly rusty — if not 

 entirely washed away. 



I think the records show the greatest amount of rainfall during the 

 past season that has ever been recorded in Iowa. These two seasons 

 have brought into play all the different rules, hints and suggestions that 

 any kind of a previous season has ever before suggested. What we 

 learned in 1901 we found little or no use for in 1902. The crops that 

 were successful, the methods of handling stock that were just right in 

 one year would totally fail the next. 



In no other business or profession, it seems to me, is there so con- 

 stantly coming up questions to be met and settled that are entirely new. 



