14 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



with their meeting, it seemed altogether proper and a very de- 

 sirable arrangement. When we consider the magnitude of the 

 dairy interests in this County, all will agree that it is all-important 

 to the farmers of Will County. The leading topics of interest 

 to the land owners of this section will naturally be along dairy 

 lines. 



In behalf of the State Dairymen's Association I wish to 

 thank you for your cordial invitation, your hearty welcome and 

 your boundless hospitality. 



The past year has been a very satisfactory one to the dairy- 

 men of this state. The prices of milk and butter have been very 

 good. Have we been able to make the most of the opportunity 

 to sell our products for the high prices prevailing this winter? 

 How many of our dairy farmers plan to have more cows freshen 

 in the fall, so as to realize the best prices of the year? 



Our creamery men in the past year, have done a large 

 business and obtained satisfactory prices for their products. 

 They have found it necessary to be constantly on the alert to 

 prevent the unlawful competition of oleomargerine factories. 

 We must all be united in this matter and be constantly on the 

 alert to protect our dairy products.. We should not neglect a 

 single opportunity to impress upon Congress and the Legislature, 

 the importance of protecting pure butter against the counterfeit 

 products of cotton-seed oil and packing house fats. Congress 

 provides for the manufacture of oleo and we cannot restrict the 

 output, but we can consistently insist that it be sold as oleo and 

 not as pure butter. We must see that it is properly labeled and 

 stamped. 



Our School of Agriculture. 



There are now enrolled in our school of Agriculture, in 

 Urbana, about 450 students. Twelve years ago there were 

 eight, six years ago there were 159. The school has advanced 

 rapidly in numbers and stands today, in point of equipment and 

 course of study, the foremost agricultural college in this country. 



The dairy department of the college is worthy of our attention 

 and support. The educational work done by this department in 



