68 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN's ASSOCIATION. 



points registered. As all knew what their numbers were, 

 each exhibitor will be able to see at once wherein his butter 

 failed. 



The president called upon Mr. Wheeler, a representa- 

 tive of the Chicago Linseed Oil Co., who occupied a short 

 time in explaining the usefulness of the linseed meal as a 

 feed for dairies. 



Mrs. F. G. Hackley, of Marengo, then read the follow- 

 ing paper on " The homes of dairymen and what they 

 should be:" 



MRS. HACKLEY'S PAPER. 



Mr. President^ Ladies and Gcntlcincn : I quite agree 

 with you. What presumption ! What am I that I should 

 have superior knowledge of dairymen's homes, and the 

 conceit to even attempt to shadow forth their future ? I 

 confess to being intimately acquainted with one dairyman, 

 possessing to a high degree interest in his home and sur- 

 roundings, and out of supreme respect for him, and for 

 most reasonable objections on his part, I know compara- 

 tively little of other men of like pursuit. I have viewed 

 their homes, in holiday attire, occasionally in undress uni- 

 form and actual service. From my own experience and a 

 glimpse of those traveling in the '* milky way," it is a safe 

 conclusion to arrive at, the homes in question must neces- 

 sarily be exceedingly busy ones. Else should they differ 

 materially from the homes of " the butcher, the baker or 

 the candlestick-maker " ? Are the dairymen considered 

 a peculiar people in. the land ? Undoubtedly they are recog- 

 nized by their dress of overalls and coarse boots with a 

 broadway cut, which they wear with such an air as "smells 

 to heaven." But what will not one endure with butter in 

 the neighborhood of forty cents per pound ? 



Let the consumer felicitate himself upon his past good 

 fortune, obtaining something for comparatively nothing, 

 dairy goods being below the actual cost of production. 

 "General average " has a word to say, and the late ruling 

 prices bring sunshine and plenty into the dairyman's home. 



