474 Report of Farmers' Institutes 



done with the breeding associations of the different breeds or 

 through the Bureau of Farmers' Institutes and the dairy improve- 

 ment associations of the state. Inforaiation regarding keeping 

 register-of-merit records under the direction of the Bureau of 

 Farmers' Institutes will be furnished by Edward van Alstyne, 

 Director of Farmers' Institutes, Agricultural Hall, Albany, New 

 York. 



The cheapest and best way to increase the production of the 

 herd is by the use of a good sire. The sire should be of the same 

 breed as the cows and a good individual of his breed. He should 

 be the son of a cow that can make more milk and fat than any cow 

 in the herd that he heads. 



Other lines of animal industry can often be profitably adopted. 

 In many sections more sheep should be kept. On many fanns 

 the number of swine and poultry could be profitably increased. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE MACHINERY 



Buy no more machinery than is profitable. The interest on the 

 investment and the depreciation on the machine will often pay for 

 doing the work of the machine and sometimes hire a man to run 

 it. If the interest on the money invested in a thrashing machine 

 and the annual depreciation on the machine would pay for the 

 thrashing, it would not be a good investment. Only the very best 

 machines and implements should be purchased, and those of the 

 kind in general use in the locality, as the parts can then be more 

 readily secured. In buying power it is well to buy a little more 

 than one expects to need, since a power loaded to its full capacity 

 is always expensive in fuel and repairs. Unless one is conve- 

 niently located near a machine shop, one should have on hand and 

 be able to use the tools and supplies needed for ordinary repairs. 

 When through with a tool, an implement, or a machine, clean it; 

 oil it; and, if it needs any repairs, make them if possible; and 

 put it in its place in the building. Discard an implement or a 

 machine as soon as its use becomes unprofitable on account of wear 

 or of not being adapted to your needs. 



