EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 359 



munity could not form a co-partnership in the ownership and use of 

 good sires. If such a plan could be followed, the good influences of su- 

 perior sires would become more far reaching and fewer males in all 

 would be needed than in the case of individual ownership. At present 

 pedigreed males are usually introduced into communities by individuals. 

 These men usually possess small herds and the one sire could be used 

 upon a number of other herds, providing the neighboring owners could 

 but see the advantage to be gained thereby. But, at present the man 

 who introduces a good male and offers his services at a reasonable price, 

 does not greatly benefit the community, as the prevailing practice is to 

 patronize the sire offered at the smallest fee and this is always the grade 

 or scrub. This form of co-operation is particularly suited to thickly set- 

 tled communities where the farms and holdings of cattle are small, and 

 consequently close together. 



In general, it is the men with the smaller herds of cattle who resort 

 most to mixed breeding and are in greatest need of good sires. We 

 fully appreciate the fact that quite generally undesirable results have 

 been derived from the formation of stock companies in the ownership 

 of stallions. But it is our candid belief in this connection that most of 

 ;he troubles among the stallion companies have arisen primarily through 

 the fault of the organizer or promoter ; the seller of stallions often un- 

 loads something on the company that does not prove satisfactory or that 

 is not suited to the specific needs of the community and generally at 

 prices amounting to double or treble the actual value of the animal. 



ORGANIZATION OF CO-OPERATIVE BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION IN MICHIGAN. 



In December, 1907, a recommendation was submitted to the Michigan 

 State Board of Agriculture by the Agricultural Department of the col- 

 lege, urging the necessity for immediate action on the part of the college 

 toward the development of co-operative organizations among the breed- 

 ers and farmers of the state, designed to stimulate live stock improve- 

 ment. This recommendation was accepted, adopted and the Agricultural 

 Department authorized to undertake the work. W. F. Raven, of Brook- 

 lyn, Michigan, was appointed field agent to introduce, develop and pro- 

 mote the work and the details of the organization work have been very 

 largely planned and put in operation by him. 



Thus far the efforts have been confined solely to cattle and the first 

 steps were taken among dairymen, as it was possible to reach this class 

 easiest through creamery, condensary and cheese factory organizations 

 and patron lists. The attention of the stockman and farmer w^as di- 

 rected to the plan through the co-operation of the state press and the 

 field agent has been working in those districts only in which his services 

 \\ere requested by the people. Before taking up the work in person in a 

 given field, copies of the following introductory letter were sent to the 

 patrons of the creamery or cheese factory or stockmen and farmers of 

 the locality, viz.: 



Dear Sir : The Agricultural Department of the Michigan Agricultural 

 College has been authorized by the State Board of Agriculture to under- 

 take special work in this state, endeavoring to stimulate the improve- 

 ment of horses, cattle, sheep and swine. The proposed plan embodies a 



