116 TRANSACTIONS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



some of our surplus butter in Eastern markets. This proposition doubt- 

 less seems ridiculous to the Eastern man; but when it is taken into 

 consideration that by reason of our milder and more equable climate 

 the cost of caring for cattle is less, and by reason of our ability to raise 

 the best of feeds cheaper the cost of producing a pound of butter fat is 

 less than in the East, the proposition assumes a state of gravity to the 

 Eastern dairymen and of vital interest to us. Another important con- 

 sideration to be borne in mind by the producer is that there is far less 

 danger of flooding the market with goods of extra quality than with 

 goods of inferior quality. In fact, the consumption per capita of butter 

 and cheese shows a large increase when the best grades are readily 

 obtained. Altogether the outlook is bright for the dairymen who are 

 endeavoring to place upon the market only first-class products. 



EXTENT AND CONDITION OF DAIRYING. 



Dairying is confined to no section of California. It extends from 

 Siskiyou to San Diego. At the same time there are portions of the 

 State which appear, or have appeared, more naturally adapted to its 

 pursuit than others. The most notable example of natural environment 

 is the Eel River Valley in Humboldt County, where green pasturage 

 may be had the whole year through. In this section the grade dairy 

 cow has reached a better development and a higher degree of production 

 than elsewhere in the State. The cow has transformed a condition of 

 bankruptcy in trying to raise and sell grain and potatoes to one of 

 plenty and independence by selling butter instead. 



Other coast regions all the way down to Santa Barbara have been 

 considered the naturally endowed dairy precincts of California and a 

 fair measure of success has been secured therein. But through poor 

 management of the pastures and a lack of knowledge of supplemental 

 forage crops the margin of profit has been decreasing. The coast sec- 

 tions, under their present management, require so many acres of land 

 per cow that it is doubtful if they can continue dairying at a good profit 

 when brought into close and strong competition with sections where less 

 land is needed per cow and where more scientific methods prevail. The 

 use of the silo in conserving both forage crops and pasturage will do 

 much to help the coast dairymen in the keen competition which is quite 

 sure to come within a few years. By the help of the silo the annual 

 yield of milk and butter per head may be doubled and an increase of 

 fully fifty per cent more animals kept on the same acreage. The cost 

 of producing a quart of milk or a pound of butter fat is accordingly 

 reduced and a greater opportunity offered for a margin of profit. 



The large interior valleys present a field for operations in dairying 

 which is most magnificent to behold. The best of cattle foods, viz: 



