ILLIISTOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'^ ASSOCIATIOIT. 27 



water. Believed that stagnant water would produce abor 

 tion. Sink-holes are not fit for cows to drink out of. Bad 

 water is the cause of much of the dairymen's trouble ; if 

 only he could be convinced of it. Would drain all the 

 ponds as soon as possible. A good wind-mill was far 

 better, than all the ponds or running streams ; the water 

 was purer and then you could have your water just 

 where it was most convenient. Cattle were not compelled 

 to search for holes in the ice in cold weather for a drink, 

 and the weaker ones hooked about and bruised by the 

 master ones. If on the prairie it is essential that you 

 plant trees, so that when the mercury stands eighty ot 

 ninety, the cows can find shade. Plenty of shade should 

 be furnished every dairy, so that hooking and crowding 

 will not be necessary for all to be accommodated. If not 

 near a factory, a good cool milk-house is absolutely essen- 

 tial, so that milk can be cooled as soon as milked. It is 

 essential that all be clean; any farmer can run a dirty 

 place, but a good dairyman will have nothing but cleanli- 

 ness about him. It was essential to produce a good product 

 as they will always command a good price Each dairy- 

 man should endeavor to build up a trade for himself, and 

 should have his own trade- mark. It was a difficult task to 

 enumerate all the essentials of a good dairy farm, but he 

 considered anything which tended to make the farm richer 

 and better, and to pay better dividends, were among the 

 essentials. 



E, H. Seward, Marengo. The first thing to consider 

 was the location. It should not be remote from good 

 markets. It should be compact in form, not " all long and 

 no wide." Buildings should be centrally located and on 

 high and dry ground. Americans locate buildings with 

 reference to roads or streams ; foreigners do. different ; they 

 locate as to convenience. Wind-mills were far better than 

 any creek or running stream. Our low lands must not be 

 forced as pastures; cold, wet land is not fit for a pasture; 

 it could be drained and thus improved. It is essential to 



