TABLE SHOWING NUMBER OF COWS FOR EACH COUNTY AND FOR THE STATE FOR THE YEARS 1895, 1899 AND 1900. Figures are from census of 1895 and the reports of county auditors to the state auditor for the years 1899 and 1900. THE PRICE OF BUTTER. The high prices received for butter the past year are very gratifying to the dairyman. It is believed that the price of butter is still on the up grade and that at least the low prices of several years since will not soon again be reached. The average price actually received for all the butter sold by any one creamery is below the average given in the follwing table, for the reason that the largest quantity of butter is sold when butter brings the least, and the smallest quantities are sold when the price is highest. From comparisons made from the reports received from individual creameries it is shown that if the largest quantities of butter could be sold when the prices are the highest that it would increase the actual returns about 14 cents a pound on the average for the year. Of course this would not be the case if all dairymen pursued the plan of winter dairying, but it is true for the individual, and he may reap the advantage if he will. SHOWING AVERAGE MONTHLY PRICE OF FANCY WESTERN CREAMERY BUTTER IN NEW YORK MARKET. THE NEW LAW. The following resolution was passed unanimously by the State Dairy association, at Mason City, in November, 1899: Resolved, It is the desire of this association that systematic inspection of creameries and creamery products, under the supervision of the state dairy commissioner, be provided for by the coming legislature. In accordance with the above resolution, a bill was prepared and introduced in the last legislature providing for the appointment by the dairy commissioner of three assistants. After a good deal of difficulty it was found possible to get the following measure passed. While it is in some degree a great disappointment because it does not give to Iowa's dairy interests what they ought to have, yet it was felt that it was a good deal better than nothing at all, and it is hoped that the next legislature may be more liberal and that other assistants may be authorized. The success of the bill was mainly due to the persistent and disinterested efforts of Senator D. A. Lyons, of the HowardWinneshiek district, and Representative B. E. Sweet, of Bremer county. The thanks of the creamery interests of the state are due these gentlemen. The bill in full follows: Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: Section 1. That section twenty-five hundred and fifteen of the Code be and the same is bereby amended by striking out of the twenty-third line of the section, after the word "employ," the words, "a clerk at an expense of not more than seventy-five dollars per month," and inserting in lieu thereof the words: "An office deputy at a salary of ten hundred dollars per year; the dairy commissioner may also appoint, upon the recommendation of the Iowa State college of agriculture and mechanic arts, the director of the Iowa experiment station and the professor of dairying, one assistant, who shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the dairy commissioner, and who shall receive a salary of ten hundred dollars per year, and said deputy and assistant of the dairy commissioner shall be allowed in addition to their salaries, actual and necessary traveling expenses, when in the performance of their official duties, said expenses to be itemized, verified under oath, and when audited and approved by the executive council to be paid upon |