THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL CONVENTION. 15 



PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS 



Lewis N. Wiggins, Springfield. 



Mr. Wiggins : Ladies and Gentlemen : It is thirty-six 

 years since this Association was organized. Its growth has been 

 sound and development steady. Year after year its officers and 

 members have endeavored to promote and help the dairyman and 

 the dairy industry. 



It has brought dairy life and developrrient into all parts of 

 the state. It has carefully and quietly worked out many of the 

 difficult dairy problems, until today Illinois holds first place in 

 the importance of her dairy interests. 



However, it is of vital importance that this Association con- 

 tinues in its strong development, and that all men and women 

 interested in the dairy industry lend it their hearty support. By 

 an earnest effort on the part of each member it will be better 

 able to watch over and assist in the development of our common 

 interest. 



The natural resources and short distance to large markets 

 insure for the dairyman in this state a bright future. ''The Elgin 

 District" is no longer the only important dairy district of this 

 state. The southern counties have just as many natural advan- 

 tages for the dairy business, and it is very gratifying to note the 

 rapid progress made in this section of the state. 



I would like to impress upon you the importance of starting 

 the cow business in the proper way. With the higher land values, 

 higher prices for grain and forage it is most essential that you 

 breed herds of high breeding and high producing qualities. If 

 you think you cannot afford to buy pure bred cows, buy a pure 

 bred sire and one pure bred cow. Be sure these are from pro- 

 ducing families and not picture families. Insist upon being fur- 

 nished with records of yearly productions of the dams. You can 

 no more afford to raise grade dairy cows than the modern fac- 

 tory can afford to continue to use, year after year, the old ma- 



