326 



AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



The conclusion from this table is the same as from the one 

 comprising 203 cows of a New Hampshire Cow Test Associa- 

 tion that the highest producing cow produced milk the cheapest. 



It is hardly accurate to place the same overhead charges on 

 cows producing ten thousand pounds as on cows producing 

 20,000 lbs. of milk. The interest on the value of the cow anc 

 the depreciation would vary with cows of dififerent production. 

 However, in this case, the fixed charges are placed at $50 

 per cow for all classes. The difference, therefore, in the cost of 

 producing milk, represented in the table, is the difference in 

 the food cost of producing milk per to lbs. and per quart. 



Comparison of Highest and Lowest Producer in Same 



Herd. 



Many illustrations could be given of remarkable difference 

 in cost of production of cows in the same herd, kept under 

 identical conditions. The records of the two cows in 

 the same herd given below are selected because just such 

 cases would be found on a great many farms, as neither of 

 the two cows have an extremely high or low record. 



Although No. I gave 3,565 pounds more than No. 2, it cost 

 only $9.75 more to feed No. i than No. 2. No. 2 gave a profit 

 above feed cost of $16.44, while No. i gave a profit of $65.11 

 or four ti)Hes as great. 



Cow No. 2 is not giving enough return above feed cost to 

 pay overhead charges Still, the man who does not keep rec- 

 ords, often assumes such a cow is profitable and he not only 

 keeps her but often breeds her to an inferior bull and rai.ses 

 heifers of the same limited capacity for production and for 

 profits. 



Dairy Situation in New England. 



At the present, the Boston Chamber of Commerce, the 

 Office of Markets, United States Department of Agriculture, 



