42 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



prosperity, as well as becoming the foster mother of the human 

 race. 



Agriculture and our rural districts turn the wheels of every 

 manufacturing institution of the continent; agriculture has 

 founded and nourished our great cities, which have sprung up 

 and grown almost beyond our comprehension ; agriculture has 

 caused our lakes and streams to be converted into great water- 

 ways for transporting and distributing the commerce of the 

 world; and the "old cow " was one of the parties and pioneers 

 who laid the foundation for greater possibilities and advance- 

 ment in agricultural resources. 



When the dairy industry of this country is stimed, agricul- 

 ture is depressed to a sad realization of its importance, and when 

 agriculture is depressed the whole commercial world feels the 

 shock, and so I say, much of the growth and advancement of our 

 rural interests can be traced to the dairy husbandman through 

 the good offices of the cow. And so I say, America owes a last- 

 ing debt to the dairymen of the United States. Much for his 

 dictation and endeavor in shaping the destinies of our rural 

 districts, and since improvement in our dairy herds must emanate 

 from the pure bred dairy herds of this country, our dairy farmer 

 owes the same debt to the pure bred dairy cattle breeder, whose 

 untiring efforts have stood as a valuable exponent for the main- 

 tenance and improvement of dairy performance in the cow. 



The first office of the cow was to produce but enough milk to 

 supply the needs of the calf, but through man's efforts in breeding, 

 selection, and training we have today the distinct dairy breeds, 

 the modern dairy cow. She has been produced by no element 

 of chance, but is the result of well directed aims in breeding, the 

 intensification of characteristic dairy qualities, and the successful 

 mixing of agencies that produce the proper blend for practical 

 utility and dairy ability. 



The Holstein-Friesian, Jersey or Guernsey pure bred sire 

 has been to the dairy interests what the Short Horn, Angus or 

 Hereford pure bred sire has been to the beef producing interests, 

 when crossed upon the cattle of our western and southern ranges,. 



