26 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



We are gathered here from our farms, our factories and our 

 offices, not to have a jolly, good time merely, not to ventilate any 

 pet notions, or cranky ideas with which any of us may be 

 afflicted, not to forward the interests of any special manufac- 

 turer or to boom any special breed of live stock, but as members 

 of the association to compare notes and experience, anxious to 

 learn all we can and willing to tell what we know. 



If there is anything new about making or marketing dairy 

 goods; if there is anything new about managing a dairy cow, or 

 a farm, we want to know it. 



When we look back but a few years, even within the memory 

 of the youngest here, and see in what a primitive condition the 

 dairy business of our state was in when creameries and cheese 

 factories were unknown; when the milk from cows fed on wild 

 hay in winter and wilder grass in summer was set in tin pans, 

 skimmed with tin skimmers, the cream churned in dash churns, 

 the product misnamed butter, traded to the grocer for goods 

 without any special regard for value; when we compare the 

 past with the present, we are astonished and satisfied that the 

 dairy world, at least, does move. 



We expect papers upon some of the most important subjects, 

 but these papers, however elaborately prepared, should be but 

 the prelude to an exhaustive discussion of the topics suggested. 

 Often a hint or a question from a practical dairyman will " lighten 

 up" a subject wonderfully. It is to be hoped that every mem- 

 ber will contribute his share. 



During the year we have passed through the most trying 

 season of our experience. But the terrible drouth which a year 

 ago nearly ruined the corn crop and greatly reduced the 

 yield which in June and July of this year looked so promising; 

 which has advanced the price of feed to double that of late years, 

 may yet teach us a lesson which, if thoroughly learned, will 

 lead to valuable results. It is not wise to interpret every 

 storm or calm as a special dispensation to suit our individual 

 circumstances . Yet in this case I cannot resist the conviction 

 that this long continued drouth, though for the present seem- 



