256 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



THE RELATION OF THE PATRONS TO THE TESTER. 



By H. M. Look, Norway. 



The first cow-testing associations were organized in Maine 

 about six years ago. The plan in use is similar to that used 

 in Denmark where cow-testing work first started. Since then 

 the work has been extended to all of the more important dairy 

 sections of this country. These associations are organized and 

 their work is in harmony with the work of the various breeders' 

 associations and cattle clubs ; in fact, they do much to help 

 these organizations by encouraging the breeding of pure bred 

 stock, by proving that dairying is a profitable investment and 

 by teaching better and more improved methods. 



In making an association successful much depends upon the 

 members of the association and the work of its official tester. 

 Any member that studies his herd records and gets enough out 

 of the work to make it profitable for him is a desirable and 

 useful member of that association. If he learns something 

 from the work he will be able to help other members. The 

 statement that a chain is no stronger than its weakest link holds 

 true in this case. The member that does not study his records 

 is not receiving any benefit from the work and is not able to 

 benefit others. 



The tester can play an important part in keeping up interest 

 in the work. If he wishes to succeed I believe he must have 

 confidence that his daily toil is of financial value to the dairy- 

 man. He must believe that the records he is making represent 

 good averages of the cost of feeding and profit and of milk anct 

 butter fat production. 



The figures that our experiment stations have worked out 

 show that by testing one day in each month, as is the practice 

 in our dairy association, the variation from actual produc- 

 tion will not exceed three per cent. This being the case, it will 

 be admitted that these records are near enough for all practical 

 purposes. The tester has many people's problems to study ; his 



