12 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



always been the aim of the directors of this association to 

 prepare a good program, I am happy to say that the pro- 

 gram prepared for the next three days of this convention is 

 one of the best. Every man that is to appear on the pro- 

 gram is an expert in his line and will bring you first hand 

 information on the subject of economic milk production. 



Dairy Farming Builds up the Sail 



The history of Agriculture in all civilized nations shows 

 that grain farming is usually the first type of farming de- 

 veloped. The next stage in the history of agriculture is a 

 decline in the fertility of the soil and in grain production — 

 the result of long cropping. This results in greater atten- 

 tion in livestock of all kind. As a rule, the first cattle in- 

 dustry of any magnitude is that of beef raising, which is 

 followed by a gradual change to dairy farming combined 

 with more or less general farming. When this stage is 

 reached the fertility of the soil is maintained and may be 

 greatly increased if the best methods of dairy farming are 

 practiced. 



The dairy districts of Europe have gone through these 

 stages; They were at one time chiefly grain producing re- 

 gions, and later engaged in beef production. 



A considerable portion of the United States, especially 

 the eastern part, has already passed through these succes- 

 sive stages. This is true of New York, Pennslyvania, Ohio, 

 Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as northern Illinois. In 

 southern Illinois you have been practicing grain farming 

 until the virgin fertility of your soil has been very much de- 

 pleted. You are now just beginning to turn your attention 

 to the dairy cow to arrest the further depletion of your soils 

 and if possible to restore the fertility of your soil that was 

 depleted by grain farming. I want to say to you this after- 

 noon that the dairy cow is equal to the task if you farmers 

 will do your part and give her a chance. 



The most practicable means of keeping up the fertility 

 of the soil is the use of farm manure, made possible by the 

 keeping of a liberal number of livestock. Man has used 

 dairy products as far back as history records and recent dis- 



