62 
ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN’S ASSOCIATION. 
1 
. 1 
< 
r 'si 
f 
x.xJ 
• ul 
* 1 
liw 
l 
■« 
J 
feirm 
fc.cj 
W 
r ** 
f'£ 
'DM 
lead,iron and copper in value of untold millions; cotton may not be said to be kim 
longer in this country, but is a source of great wealth to the producer, manufacturer 
and the Nation. 
Our state has been truly denominated an agricultural state. It is true, agricult] 
ure engages the largest number of our people, and is by far the source of our greates 
wealth. It is rapidly becoming a manufacturing state as well. The fields and mead 
ows of Illinois are the admiration of all who see them, and by proper care and labor 
they may be made more beautiful. They will become much more valuable as oui 
towns and cities fill up with people and manufacturing interests. They will becornt 
more valuable as agriculture becomes more diversified. We do not fully appreciate 
the value of a good farm in Illinois. A man with a good wife, a baby or two, and m 
acres of Illinois land, with a snug house on it for a home, is independent and ought 
to be happy and content. By industry, frugality, and intelligence in the management 
of such a farm, with ordinary good luck, such a man may become well off. Many do 
and become money lenders. The farms in the districts in our state where we fine 
creameries and cheese factories in operation, are to-day more valuable and in bettei 
condition than in other places. The land is in better condition and the farm build 
ings more valuable. Such being the case, it is evidence that the dairy business is 
prosperous and that it is conducted by a thrifty and intelligent class of people, worthy 
of the prosperity they enjoy. The producers of this state are giving more attention 
of late years to a variety of crops, I think much to their advantage. A proper systen 
of diversified farming gives profitable employment during the year. The few months 
of labor required to seed and harvest a good wheat crop, returns a profitable invest 
ment for the time occupied, but when the exclusive wheat, corn, or single crop farmei 
takes into consideration the unemployed time of the men and teams between seec 
time and harvest, the annual loss to the state in labor may be counted by millions ot 
dollars. 
The dairyman has constant employment during the year, and the business should 
be encouraged and extended, as should all other specialties in agricultural industries 
which can be made profitable. The partial statistics relating to dairv products in 
this state, as returned by the assessors for 1881, and published in the reports of tht 
Agricultural Department, are as follows : 
During the year there has been— 
ValuX 
Milk sold.4<VS3>48S g-allons 
Cream sold. >,380,938 “ 
Butter sold.21,574,414 ponuds 
Cheese sold. 5,837,974 “ 
$3,814,581 
704^74 
5>897,P74 
875,69* 
Making a total in value for milk, butter, cream and cheese, of $11,005,203 sold ir 
1881 in Illinois. 
The value of dairy products consumed on farms where cows are kept, is not in 
eluded in the above, and it would largely add to the above amount. You who are 
engaged in the business are doubtless familiar with all these facts, and you do not ex¬ 
pect me to include in my remarks all the interesting statistics relating to the rapic 
growth and extent of the dairy interests in the state and country. Much interesting 
data may be found in the reports of the Illinois State Dairymen’s Association which 
are considered of sufficient value to be republished in the annual reports of the De¬ 
partment of Agriculture. 
The past year has been a prosperous one for the farmers of this state. With the 
exception of the fruit and corn crops there is no reason for complaint. The yield and 
values of the principal crops of the state for 1882, are as follows as nearly as can be 
ascertained: 
Wheat, 52,323,226 bushels 
Oats, 99,275,380 bushels... 
Rye, 6,538,^3 bushels.. ✓. 
Hay, 4,389,186 tons. 
*!''>, 7 >4,37' 
41,062,61 
4,064,48. 
34,006,16 
It will be seen by comparison that the wheat crop of this year is the largest one 
we have ever raised except the crop of 1880, while the oat cron exceeds any former one 
by 24i million bushels. The rye crop of this year is the largest ever raised in the state 
and worth more money than any previous crop. The hay crop is estimated to be ovei 
345,000 tons more than any previous crop. It is claimed, I think rightly, that the tota 
value of all the crops produced in Illinois in 1882, will largely exceed that of any pre 
vious year. 
The farmers’ interests are closely identified with all the great business interests 0 
the country. One cannot suffer without injury to a greater or less degree to all. W< 
cannot all engage in the same business. Some must raise corn and wheat and hog^ 
and cattle, and fruits and vegetables. Some must make butter and cheese • somt 
must build cities and railroads, and so it is in the interest of all that every honorabl* 
and profitable business shall be fostered and carried on. The world is made up 0 ! 
all sorts of people, with different tastes and capacities suited to all sorts of work and 
