ILLINOIS DAlRYMBlSr'S ASSOCIATION. 71 



A more serious difficulty is in the rapid increase of manufacture of adul- 

 terated or imitation dairy goods. Mere denunciation of this does little good. 

 I do not believe it practicable, were it wise, to attempt to prohibit the manu- 

 facture of such goods. I have no fault- to find with those who make or who 

 choose to use animal fat from one part of the body rather than another or 

 from one class of animals rather than another. It is right to insist that 

 these goods shall be sold for what they are. I believe it practicable to secure, 

 in fair degree, compliance with wise legislation requiring this. This se- 

 cured, dairy farmers ought not complain. 



Another serious danger is in the possibility, perhaps probability, of the 

 introduction of contagious disease among the dairy herds of the west. It is 

 idle to deny that such disease has a limited foothold in limited areas in some 

 of the eastern states ; and so long as this remains true there can be no abso- 

 lute safety for our western herds. An important national convention to 

 consider this question was recently held in Chicago, and I earnestly suggest 

 that this Association heartily endorse the wise, conservative action taken by 

 it, in seeking to secure appropriate action by Congress under which such dis- 

 eases may be eradicated. 



There are many modes of helping the general prosperity of this interest. 

 I need not tell most of you of the interest and value of such conventions as 

 those of this and other dairy associations. They have done vast good in the 

 past ; perhaps most in the earlier years of the aw^akened interest. The best 

 attended and most effective meetings now are, as a rule, those held in 

 regions in which dairying is comparatively new. I hope this association 

 will endeavor to become even more useful than it has in the past, by holding 

 at least some of its annual meetings in places outside of what we recognize 

 as the dairy belt; places w^here an active interest is only beginning to be felt. 



There are a few good books on dairy matters worthy of wide circulation. 

 There are many agricultural and some local papers that are able and willing 

 to give most effective help. In no other way can intelligence be so cheaply 

 and widely circulated as through the periodical press. 



In former years I presented over and over again, until it became weari- 

 some perhaps, the thought that dairymen should not only seek to supply the 

 demand for their goods, but should seek to increase that supply. It is clear- 

 ly true we have looked too exclusively to the foreign markets for our cheese. 

 I am very glad to see here the interesting collection of samples of cheese of 

 various kinds, brought by Major Alvord. The great mass of the cheese 

 made in this country is after one model. We have a large foreign popula- 

 tion, many of whom have been accustomed to cheese of other forms and 

 appearance. It is wise to consult their tastes and prejudices. It is wise to 

 attempt to produce cheese which can go to the family without being cut. 



On another point I have written and spoken much — the value of fuller 

 and more attractive exhibitions of dairy products. I much regretted that 

 Illinois was not better represented at our great centennial exhibition. I did 

 what I could to secure a creditable exhibition at an international exhibition 

 in London. It seemed to be a capital opportunity, when a few years ago, an 

 attempt was made to combine a dairy show with the fat stock show in 

 Chicago. I earnestly hope that the proposal to again attempt this may be 

 carried forward. To-day this exhibition is the best known of any agricui- 



