202 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



doubt that this statement of the condition of the dairy industry in the State 

 of New York, which we have been accustomed to regard as occupying a 

 leading position among the States as far as the dairy industry is concerned, 

 is as true as it is gloomy. 



But what is the present condition of the dairy industry in this State? 

 Do a large majority of the cows in the herds in the State of Illinois make a 

 satisfactory annual yield? As far as my observation goes, the average 

 of dairy cows in Illinois is equal to that in New York. 



I have no hestitation in saying that the average of dairy cows in Illi- 

 nois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and North Missouri is much 

 above that of New York, but the observation and experience of all in this 

 conference of dairymen would doubtless confirm the statement that we 

 need not go to the State of New York to find a segment of the dairy industry 

 not wholly unlike that revealed by the statistics of the Dairy Commis- 

 sioner of that state. 



That there is today in this sta te a plentiful lack of profitable dairy 

 cows is patent to every one conversant with the facts, and the problem of 

 how to get a plentiful supply of goo d dairy cows, and how to take care of 

 such cows that the maximum of profit may be realized, is full of interest 

 to the dairymen of this state, as to those of any other. 



The answer to this question w ould not be far to seek if the reply were 

 to be given to a company of capitalists, who, weary of success in the com- 

 mercial world, sought rest and recreation in the possession of a few herds 

 of profitable dairy cows. 



Money would buy a few herds of the tribe of Clothilde, of Mercedes, or 

 Pieterje Second, or of the tribe of Matilda, Massena, or of Lanceers Fancy, 

 or Madame Tricksey, and money will hire a man with experience and skill 

 to take care of them, and the question is speedily settled. 



But by what means or by what method can the average dairyman 

 posses himself of the sine qua non of every enterprising, successful dairy- 

 man — the profitable cow? 



Let us briefly in outline indicate some of the conditions precedent to 

 success. 



