14 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



more economical production to give us the same profit on the 

 farm. You have the farms and the crops, have you the 



Dairy Cattle. 



This feature of dairying I am pleased to say is receiving 

 more attention, and well it is so, for without good cattle what can 

 you expect from well tilled land ? If the product is sold through 

 a poor cow, where is the profit? We must continue hammering 

 away, in season and out of season, using the texts, " Weed out 

 the poor cows," " Test your cows," " Poor cows are only a bill 

 of expense," " Feed a good cow a balanced ration," etc., etc. I 

 know in the Elgin district a better grade of dairy animals is being 

 sought after. All signs point to an awakening of the dairy 

 farmer to higher ideals. It was with much pleasure I read in 

 Hoard's Dairyman a few days ago of a Wisconsin herd that had 

 been tested for a year past that averaged 12,724 pounds of milk 

 each; average test 3.60 to 3.70 butterfat, six of them 2 year olds 

 which averaged 11,663 pounds each. Those 3 years old and over 

 averaged 13,221 pounds of milk for the year. Dairymen ! What 

 are your cows doing for you? Figure out for yourselves the 

 difference in your profits — if your time and feed were put on such 

 cows, than on your 5,000 pounds per annum cow, that the most 

 of you are milking. While on this subject I want to call your 

 attention to the opportunity you will have next month in Chicago 

 at the annual meeting of the Buttermakers' Association and the 

 big dairy show to be held at the Coliseum. They will have on 

 exhibition 150 of the finest dairy cows to be found in the country, 

 from representative herds of the different breeds. A day or two 

 spent with these animals will make you a better judge of a dairy 

 animal, and from the general show you will see the possibilities 

 of dairying and go home better prepared to do your part. This 

 is the beginning of great dairy shows and I bespeak for it a re- 

 markable reception and that it will become an annual event; it 

 should be held in connection with this association and receive 

 its support. It is practical education ; our resolutions should 

 recognize this. 



