ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 147 



or lack in the soil, and always in connection with vegetable mat- 

 ter, whether grass roots or manure. It will, however, be a shame 

 and disgrace to the great states of Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, 

 and large portions of Missouri, Minnesota and the Dakotas, if 

 there shall ever be built up in them a profitable trade in com- 

 mercial fertilizers. There is no necessity for it in the glaciated 

 area of these states. Except in peaty soils, they have enough of 

 essential elements of fertility, if farmers will so handle their lands 

 as to keep them rich in vegetble matter, and in good physical 

 condition, to supply for all time to come the wants of crops of 

 much greater magnitude than grow on these prairies. Whether 

 these fields shall wave with the harvests that nature intended 

 them to bear, or whether we shall duplicate the experience of 

 the nineteenth century farmers of the older states, depends entire- 

 ly on whether the twentieth century farmers have the ability 

 to utilize the magnificent resources of our soil and climate. 



In conclusion, remember that those who were permitted to 

 hear the glad tidings of great joy that came to all the people, 

 were not the soldiers in their tents, nor the priests in the temples, 

 but the shepherds feeding their flocks by night, farmers like you 

 and me. 



You know, Moses was no good until after he had been with 

 Laman forty years on his sheep ranch. 



I thank you. 



By the President : — That address is worth sleeping on. We 

 have one more on the program, but we will have to call on 

 him tomorrow I hope. 



I want to call your attention before we adjourn to the 

 meetings tomorrow. The one tomorrow morning is very import- 

 ant one, and also in the afternoon the class of cow judging at the 

 Joliet Transfer barn. Tomorrow morning a butter judging 

 test and the test is open to exhibitors of butter and prizes offered. 

 That test is to be conducted by Mr. Lee of the University staff. 

 Remember, in the Exhibit Hall in the morning, and at the Joliet 

 Transfer barn in the afternoon. This barn is steam heated and 

 seats will be provided and you will find it a comfortable meeting 

 place. The lectures will be given by Prof. Eraser, Hopper and 



