148 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



COWS, are born weaklings. Such calves never can be made the 

 strong, producing, valuable cows dairymen are all after and so 

 few possess. 



I do not like to leave this subject without calling attention to 

 a further point which I consider of importance in connection 

 ■with the rearing of dairy animals. The proper breeding of 

 dairy animals is not enough. They should be reared in such a 

 way as to render their breeding of greatest advantage to their 

 owners. Pure air and exercise are essential to the health, 

 strength and highest usefulness of all domestic animals. 

 Through our solicitude for the comfort of our animals, and in 

 the hope to entice a little more milk from the cows, many are 

 going to the other extereme. Especially, I claim, is this 

 true of young and growing animals soon to become the princi- 

 pals of the herd. Pure air is an absolute necessity to health and 

 therefore a necessity to the highest thrift, and of far more 

 importance in those directions than the matter of temperature. 

 There is no denying the fact that we are gradually raising up 

 too many weaklings in dairy herds. What gives the strength 

 and vitality to Ayrshire cows and their offspring but generations 

 of out-door freedom where pure air and exercise develop the 

 power needed to make them the strong and profitable cows they 

 are? No hot house product are they nor are they less profitable 

 cows for this early training. It takes an all-round strong ani- 

 mal to be a profitable producer and bring forth a calf that will 

 •develop into the equal of its dam. Developing the milk-giving 

 propensity is not enough. Good breeding is not enough. The 

 physical powers must be built up and strengthened to go with 

 the improved breeding. Until intelligent attention is given to 

 these important matters dairymen will continue as now, to find 

 it a troublesome matter to build up the quality of their herds 

 from heifers of their own raising. 



