126 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



dairies, we see how necessary it is that these industries should 

 be safely guarded and this has been largely brought about by 

 organization and co-operation among the different sections of 

 the state, and that is what brings you here. If I understand it 

 rightly, you come that you may, side by side, compare experi- 

 ences ; that you may exchange views upon the methods — the best 

 methods — in this great interest which you represent. 



As food products, there are none that excel in importance 

 those represented through this association — represented through 

 the interests which you are here to promote by your discussions 

 and co-operation. 



I am glad that the general assembly has said we will give 

 $1,500 per year to assist the dairy association in Illinois; it 

 ought to be $15,000. 



True, we have farmers' institutes (and they are splendid 

 educational agencies) and many other similar organizations that 

 indirectly tend to assist you in your great work, but after re- 

 viewing them all, 1 want to say here that I do not know of 

 anything that has grown to the perfection in Illinois that this 

 has; that to my mind, has done and will do more for the people 

 at large — the common people — than these annual meetings that 

 are encouraged and fostered by the state and by appropriations. 



AYe have six inspectors in the State Food Department that 

 must cover all lines of foods and up to the present time, we 

 have had no requirements as to qualifications or experience 

 in this especial line of work, and when we send our inspectors 

 out to secure samples of food products and look after the dairies 

 and creameries of the state, very frequently they are not experts 

 along this line of work. What we are trying to do now is to 

 get our legislature to give us two inspectors who will have this 

 necessary qualification and who can go out and secure dairy 

 statistics and report upon the dairy, creamery and other dairy 

 products of the state so that the people of the country may be 

 fully informed in regard to the work and progress of the dairy 

 and what Illinois is doing" in that line of work. 



