16 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



dairymen, who are members of this Association.. We can then 

 officially impress more directly upon the dairy department of the 

 Agricultural college the actual needs of the dairy and creamery 

 industry of the state. 



I cannot emphasize too earnestly the importance of the 

 dairy department of the experiment station investigating ECON- 

 OMICAL RATIONS for dairy cows and calves intended for 

 future dairy work. If the state of Illinois is to take a front 

 rank as a dairy state, it should actively and intelligently enter 

 a wider field of original investigation and research work on 

 practical lines, that will tend to make the dairy business more 

 profitable. The field for this class of work is so wide that there 

 is absolutely no danger of its being even partially covered with 

 a much larger force of investigators than now are engaged in 

 this service. We know comparatively little of the physiology 

 of the dairy cow as a milk producing machine and we cannot 

 account for certain changes in the properties of her products, 

 after being exposed to sudden or climatic changes or radical 

 changes in her food. 



Test Associations. 



We are sadly in need of organization and effective work in 

 this state in the very important matter of testing the value of 

 our cows. Every dairyman ought to test his cows for butter 

 fat and weigh the milk and dispose of unprofitable cows. We all 

 realize this fact, but many hesitate to take the initial step. 



The Agricultural college has provided a free short course of 

 study in milk testing and cow judging, at the University, during 

 the Stockmen's convention, which will be in session at Urbana 

 from Jan. 21st to Feb. 2nd. Two or three dairymen in each 

 neighborhood should get together and send one or two young men 

 to this special dairy course. If the young man learns to make 

 tests of milk and cream in a satisfactory manner the college will 

 give him a certificate setting forth his efficiency. I earnestly rec- 

 ommend that this Association upon presentation of a proper certi- 

 ficate from the college by a graduate in such course, give the 

 party a diploma. Such a course will stimulate many a young 



