ELEVENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART VIII 387 



in a family on the farm it was very generally decided that the one show- 

 ing the most marked characteristics as to business ability should be sent 

 to town as most any of them could farm. 



Under present conditions, we know of no reason why this should be so, 

 as there is no more dignified or respectable calling than that of a suc- 

 cessful dairy farmer. There is none other that will put a greater pre- 

 mium on brains. Therefore, I wish to say to the young man or boy who 

 may be anxious to get to the city or town, that you are apt to be over- 

 looking an opportunity to make yourself a most useful and influential 

 citizen of our commonwealth by leaving the farm. If you have the ele- 

 ments that go to make up a successful career, they may as well be de- 

 veloped in this vocation as any other and the chances are that a compet- 

 ency for old age is as apt to be accumulated as though you went to the 

 city. "We recently learned that about 85 per cent of the street car con- 

 ductors and motormen in a city of 150,000 inhabitants were formerly boys 

 on, the farm. We do not refer to this out of any disrespect to these men, 

 but to show that only a small per cent of those leaving the farm find 

 very easy or lucrative positions. Free mail delivery, telephone service, 

 better roads, the automobile and modern conveniences in the farm house, 

 all go to make farm life more attractive. 



In closing, permit me to thank the members of the executive committee 

 and each member of the association for their loyal support of my efforts 

 to accomplish the things that in my judgment seemed best for all. Much 

 has been done, yet we are only just getting well started. The acquaint- 

 ances and friendships formed in this work are prized by me beyond meas- 

 ure and will be cherished as long as life shall last. 



Mr. Shoemaker: I presume that most of you are aware that a 

 friend of this organization, a man who has been active in this work 

 and in the dairy business of Iowa is ill in the hospital at Des Moines. 

 I, therefore, move that the president, in behalf of this association, 

 send a message of sympathy and cheer to Mr. Wright at the Mercy 

 hospital in Des Moines. 



(Motion was seconded and unanimously carried.) 



Mr. Marsh : I am advised of the fact that ex-Governor Hoard, 

 of AVisconsin, who has done so much for the dairy world, is 74 

 years old today, and I make a motion that our president be in- 

 structed to send a message congratulating him on the fact that 

 he has attained his 74th year. 



Qlotion was seconded and unanimously carried.) 



Adjournment. 



