52 



The Dawn of a New Constructive Era 



Practical Co- 

 operation 

 Witli the 

 Farmer 



New Blood 

 Important in 

 Cattle Raising 



In taking the schools to the farms we have 32 demonstration 

 farms in the Southern Mississippi Valley. This last year we dis- 

 tributed 90 pure bred sires in Southern Illinois, Kentucky, Ten- 

 nessee and Mississippi in the interest of improved live stock, 

 both beef and dairy types., Angus, Shorthorns, Herefords, 

 Guernseys, Jerseys and Holsteins. 



Now, gentlemen, in this work of activity and co-operation, 

 we find it is useless to hand something to somebody on a gold 

 platter. The Lord helps those who help themselves, and that is 

 the truth. In order to encourage the dairy business in the South- 

 ern Mississippi Valley — and by the way, in the presentation of 

 those sires we would not, of course, allow one of those fine bulls 

 to go into a tick-infested county — we think too much of the live 

 stock; I speak here only of Mississippi, because there is no 

 parish traversed by our line in Louisiana that is yet free from 

 the cattle tick, and I regret that. Dr. Dalrymple, however, tells 

 me that two or three of the parishes will be free in a few months, 

 and when that time comes the Illinois Central will be right here 

 with the bulls to co-operate with you, too; that is, if you want us to. 



Now, again speaking of those who should help themselves. 

 We have pictured the importance of the dairy cow and the dairy 

 business. By this time we realize that live stock is its most im- 

 portant division. That brings the first cash, then the hog and 

 the poultry, and following with the steer and sheep. I am glad 

 sheep has been mentioned here today, because we know that 

 animal should be on those lands in great numbers in this part of 

 the country. 



This matter of education, gentlemen, you observe, changes 

 everything; and right here, gentlemen, don't think for a mo- 

 ment that I make any reflection upon the people of this terri- 

 tory. I want rather to congratulate the people on the progress 

 they have made in the last three or four years, and that, now 

 you have a compulsory law, that by 1918 the cattle tick will be 

 a thing of the past, is something that you are to be congratulated 

 upon. (Applause.) Any community on our lines, from Southern 

 Illinois to Louisiana, where they will organize the bankers and 

 business men and have the farmers purchase dairy cows from out- 

 side the state, the Illinois Central railroad will furnish the sires. 

 That is helping those who help themselves. I say from outside 

 the state. I don't think it is along the lines of progress for Tan- 

 gipahoa Parish to sell cattle to West Feliciana. I do think it 



