Home Nature-Study Course. 391 



carrying heavy loads over rutty or sandy roads. I have always 

 thought that a handsome pair of well-ljroken oxen were a delightful 

 team to ride after. 



At present the beef breeds of cattle are grown more in the West, 

 where they have taken the place of the buffalo herds on the great 

 plains; while the milch breeds are of greater importance in the East 

 and Middle West. 



In New York State the dairy cow is seen almost everywhere, and 

 the dairy industry is being revolutionized at the present time. The 

 teacher of every village and rural school can aid greatly in this 

 revolution by educating the children to higher standards and better 

 methods of milk production and preparation. In the best dairies 

 the following methods are followed: 



The herd is improved constantly by keeping a thoroughbred sire 

 at the head of it. 



The stables are cleaned thoroughly ever}'' day, the sweeping of the 

 floor being a part of the daily routine. The milkers brush the cow's 

 udder and wash their own hands before milking. 



The milk is not strained in the barn where the odor of the stable 

 will affect it, but is strained in the open air or in a room prepared 

 purposely for it. 



A pair of scales stands near the can for receiving the milk and as 

 the milk from each cow is brought in it is weighed and the amount 

 set down opposite the cow's name, on a "milk sheet" that is tacked 

 up on the wall near by. 



At the end of each week the figures on the milk sheet are added, and 

 the farmer knows just how much milk each cow is giving him and 

 whether there are any in the herd which are not paying their board. 

 While to the old-fashioned farmer weighing each cow's milk seems 

 "fussy," yet it takes little time and removes guesswork from the 

 dairying business. The up-to-date farmer likes to know where he 

 stands. Besides the care of the stables and milk a well-balanced 

 ration of food is given to the cows, and plenty of fresh, good water 

 provided for them, and they are kept in warm stables in the winter, 

 thus saving much fodder and grain. I know a dairy in New York 

 State which under ignorant management produced only 3000 pounds 

 of milk per cow during the year; the next year the same dairy, 

 properly fed and housed, yielded 6000 pounds of milk per cow. Good 

 care of the dairy cow often measures the difference between profitable 

 and unprofitable farming. 



