THIRD ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 383 



This act passed both houses of the legislature, with only four votes in 

 the negative, thus demonstrating that our people are deeply interested in 

 all these matters. 



The present Board of Agriculture is entitled to much credit for what 

 they have already accomplished in the advancement of the first named 

 industries; but we are all desirous that manufacturies shall also advance 

 more rapidly. 



The last census shows that the total value of farm products in Iowa 

 increased, the last decade, 129.6 per cent, while the total value of manu- 

 factured products increased only 31.6 per cent. Three per cent a year 

 m<ay be a healthy growth, but it certainly is not a rapid advancement. 

 Time will not permit me to discuss this matter in detail, hence I will 

 only say that there is no legitimate reason why manufacturies shall not 

 increase from 50 to 100 per cent during the next decade; and if there 

 exist a reason that is not legitimate, it must be removed by statutory 

 enactment by the state legislature, or by congress, or by both if neces- 

 sary. 



Our people are generous con»umers of manufactured products, 

 and we have the best of transportation facilities for reaching other mar- 

 kets, and we have an abundance of cheap coal and other material. Every 

 person engaged in a pursuit is, directly or indirectly, interested in every 

 other legitimate pursuit in the state. He has a special interest in his 

 home city or town, and should, by every means in his power, encourage 

 the upbuilding of a home market for his own products. 



In several localities in this state corn is selling above Chicago mar- 

 ket, and being manufactured into beef and pork at a profit. And this has 

 been true for years, regardless of the quantity of the crop produced. 



The same principle applies also to other products, and will always 

 apply when the demand at home equals or exceeds the supply. I trust 

 that the Board of Agriculture will, as soon as circumstances will permit, 

 adopt some system for the dissemination of information pertaining to 

 our resources and conditions favoring manufacturies; and so far as it 

 may deem expedient, co-operate with boards of trade, commercial clubs 

 and municipalities in promoting a more rapid development of manufac- 

 turies in the state. 



Some one has said that "Iowa leads in everything that is good. ' 

 Whether this be true or not, I shall not attempt to determine, but it cer- 

 tainly leads in many good things. But if politicians are to be classed 

 under the head of good things, I am sure that Iowa is left, for the good 

 old state of Ohio produces more politicians to the acre than any other 

 state in the union. 



I trust I may be pardoned for referring to a matter that revives 

 anew sorrow to the heart. The State Board of Agriculture has lost a 

 highly esteemed and valuable ex-ofhcio member by the recent death of 

 Dr. Beardshear, who was president of the State College of Agriculture 

 and Mechanic Arts. Dr. Beardshear was a great, generous-hearted, able 

 man. Advanced agriculture has lost a zealous, faithful advocate. The 



