FORTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONVENTION 259 



CLASS 2.-.SUBJECT: "ADVANTAGES TO BE GAINED 



BY ATTENDING A CONVENTION OF ILLINOIS 



STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION." 



Fred Atkinson. 



"The advantages to be gained by attending a convention 

 of this association" are numerous; so numerous, in fact, that 

 some may be overlooked in our busy Hfe. The advantages are 

 of such a nature that they not only benefit one line of this won- 

 derful industry, but they are of interest to all who are concerned 

 in the production or manufacturing of those two mainstays of 

 life, milk and butter. 



To begin with, we can say that at all conventions or meet- 

 ings of this kind, the paramount feature is the exchange of 

 ideas. For instance, we have with us at this time leaders of 

 all branches of the dairy industry, from some of the leading- 

 dairy states of the Union, and they come here with one point, 

 and one only in their mind, and that is to. educate and be edu- 

 cated. They come here to exchange with their fellow dairy- 

 man ideas by which they have profited, for other ideas which they 

 may not know, and in that exchange which takes place, both 

 derive a benefit. 



We must concede that one of the features of this conven- 

 tion is the exhibit of dairy cattle, and we note that this affords 

 great opportunities to the coming dairyman. 



At this convention the boy who some day will take his 

 father's place in the production of milk can see what is being" 

 done, just what is being accomplished in the breeding of dairy 

 cattle. This, as I have said before, is one of the features of 

 the convention, for it is in the coming generation, that we must 

 cultivate enthusiasm, if we hope to have the industry reach its 

 highest standard of efficiency in the future. 



We must not overlook the fact that with us, are men who 

 come to discuss the proper construction of dairy barns, and also 

 the raising of proper feed for cattle. This gives a wonderful 



