STUDIES IN MILK SECRETION. 



In 1894, in response to inquiries from several Breeder's Associ- 

 ations, the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station 

 agreed to send an authorized representative to supervise the milk 

 and butter records of thoroughbred cows for any one desiring 

 such records made, upon conditions laid down b}^ the Station. 

 Thus far there has been but little call for supervisors of such 

 tests, except among members of the Holstein-Friesian Associ- 

 ation of America. In fact, there has been but one seven-day test 

 made of cows of any other breed. In 1885, this association 

 adopted a set of rules establishing what is known as a system of 

 Advanced Registr}-, into which no cow is allowed to be entered 

 until she has made a certain record for milk or butter produc- 

 tion, the amount of this record depending upon her age. The 

 wisdom of adopting such a system has been attested by the uni- 

 form success attending the carrjang out of its provisions, and in 

 1894, the Association added another and still more valuable 

 feature, consisting of what are called " Officially Authenticated 

 Butter Records." For these records prizes amounting to about 

 $1,300.00 are given annually. " Such records must be for seven 

 consecutive days and must be supervised by an officer of some 

 Experiment Station or State institution, or by the Superinten- 

 dent of Advanced Registr}^ or some inspector designated by him. ' ' 

 The rules also provide ' ' that such records may be made by the 

 churn or by the Babcock test, or by any other method approved 

 by the Association of Official iVgricultural Chemists." The Bab- 

 cock test, however, owing to its simplicit}' and accuracy has been 

 universally adopted as the means for determining the amount of 

 butter fat produced, from which the equivalent butter is calcu- 

 lated. It has also been the almost universal custom among 

 breeders to look to the Experiment Stations for supervisors of 

 tests. The first year, however, that of 1894, of the twenty-five 

 official records published from tests made in New York State 



