ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 22/ 



I speak advisedly and know whereof I speak. I am aware that I am 

 making the assertion in the presence of representatives of the best agri- 

 cultural colleges in the United States, yet I have no hesitancy in saying 

 to them, do your best — and we will go you one better. 



It has taken time to educate the farmers of the state to a just appre- 

 ciation of the value of an agricultural education and to remove from 

 their minds the old prejudice against book farming or scientific farming 

 or any kind of farming that savors of anything but brawn and muscle — 

 tireless and never ending drudgery and a reckless waste of soil fer- 

 tility. 



Again, it has been the province and function of the agricultural 

 organizations to bring the farmers and the agricultural college into 

 closer communication and to a better understanding of the wants of the 

 one and the benefits of the other. 



Through the agency and by efforts of these organizations and em- 

 bodying the ideas and suggestions of Col. Chas. F. Mills as expressed in 

 resolutions introduced by him at the last meeting of the Live Stock 

 Breeders' Association, it has been provided by statute that the work of 

 the Illinois Experiment Station shall be carried out on lines to be agreed 

 upon the Dean of the College of Agriculture and committees represent- 

 ing the various branches of agriculture, to be selected by the farmers 

 themselves. Thus is the work of the College and Station, and the wants 

 of the farmer brought into close and intimate relationship. 



The Association of the leading farmers of the state and those who 

 practice the highest type of agriculture, in organizations, for the pur- 

 pose of leading the farmers of Illinois into better and more intelligent 

 methods — of inculcating new ideas — ideas that will set them to thinking 

 and studying and which when applied will result in the most advanced 

 agriculture, is an object worthy of the highest commendation. 



The success already achieved and the good accomplished by the agri- 

 cultural organizations of Illinois acting in perfect harmony and unani- 

 mity of purpose and for the promotion and advancenient of agriculture, 

 makes them the pioneers and leaders in this work. They have demon- 



