ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 133 



SOME CONDITIONS IN THE DAIRY AFFAIRS THAT NEED ORGAN- 

 IZED ATTENTION. 



I am neither an alarmist nor a pessimist, but I cannot look with 

 deep concern upon certain conditions that prevade the dairy interests, 

 because they seem to indicate that this great industry is not keeping 

 pace with the general development of the country and of other import- 

 ant industries. Surely if such an assumption be in the slightest sense 

 correct, then it merits the most thoughtful attention, for in these intense 

 days the man or the industry that fails to catch the step and sustain the 

 pace of others will shortly be left in the rear, if not hopelessly distanced 

 or permanently set aside. 



I very much fear that I shall say some things in the progress of 

 this paper that may not meet approval. If so, I beg you remember that 

 I am a dairyman myself, as well as a teacher, and that for more than 

 twenty years one of the leading interests on my own farm has been and 

 is yet the production of milk for making into butter. So I have a per- 

 sonal interest in the condition of the butter trade. 



However, I am bound to say that I should not occupy the time of this 

 meeting to listen to my views of the dairy situation upon any personal 

 grounds. I write as I have written because of my connection with the 

 Experimental Station of the State, that not only thinks it discovers some 

 deplorable conditions, but finds itself unable to lend much assistance, 

 owing to circumstances, that will shortly appear. I take this early oc- 

 casion to assure you that if I speak plainly it i^ because no, other speech 

 is necessary among sensible men, and I hope that some action may be 

 taken looking to the modification of centain conditions and the exten- 

 sion of trade. I have one request, and that is, that for the time this body 

 will look at these matters from the side of the consumers who are our 

 customers. 



In the day of our mothers and grandmothers, in New York, Penn- 

 sylvania and Ohio, when the milk was set in the spring house, good but- 



