

ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 2& 



By these annual meetings we renew old acquaintances, and make new 

 ones, and impart to each other fresh enthusiasm in the art of dairying and 

 farming, which fields are so large, yes, entirely too large for one man to ex- 

 plore alone. 



If the price of our products is reduced, we must produce them at less 

 cost; try to curtail expenses, without diminishing production. 



Some things on the farm are extravagant that many farmers overlook, 

 or neglect to remedy, such as keeping unprofitable cows, inferior stable ac- 

 commodations, feeding food that is not palatable, that stock will eat only 

 enough of to sustain life. Such things are not necessary; it is from the 

 lack of knowledge that they are done, or exist. 



There is a chance for great improvement along these lines on some Illi- 

 nois farms. 



If many farmers would work Aeir brains more, read more, and keep up 

 with the procession in their work, they would accomplish much more, in a 

 financial way, than they now do. 



The work of this association should be to devise better methods for 

 farming and dairying. We should strive as a society to stand on a broad 

 plane of usefulness, and be progressive in everything pertaining to farming, 

 dairying, end marketing the product. We should endeavor to make our 

 ideas practical, and not theoretical and impracticable. 



Until the farmer wakes to a fuller realization of the necessity of better 

 dairy knowledge and education, there is no hope of his receiving his just 

 share of the rewards and profits of the dairy industry. 



There is a great loss and waste at the farm end of the business, through 

 ignorance of "True Dairy Work." 



The Illinois State Dairymen's Association has reasons for being proud 

 of its birth and history. Twenty-five years ago when this association was 

 organized, the dairy industry of the state was small compared with its pres- 

 ent proportions. 



The dairy products of the state were made largely on the farms. 

 The Elgin board of trade was in its infancy. 



The sales at that time were 327,000 pounds of butter annually; for 1898, 

 the sales were about 50,000,000 pounds. 



