cow is undoubtedly one of the greatest benefactors of the human race. 

 She contributes more to his health and happiness than any other animal. 



Those of us who have read "Middlemarch" will remember that the 

 author makes one of the characters give this statement: "It would be 

 interesting if we could know what the cat thinks of us." Since reading 

 that, I thought it would be very interesting if we could know what the cow 

 thinks about us. 



One morning I heard an unusual commotion among our cows. 

 Usually they are very quiet, but this morning I noticed quite a stir in the 

 stable. I listened and heard the word "Man." Now this is such an un- 

 usual subject among the gentler sex, that I thought I would listen to 

 what was being said. The mild-eyed Jersey was the first speaker. She 

 said, "Men are such unfeeling and inconsiderate creatures. There were 

 some farmers in here the other day, and they made some very unkind 

 remarks regarding my hook-bones." The next speaker was the alert 

 Ayrshire. "You know," she said, "I had a funny experience last sum- 

 mer. A number of us were playing in a field. We were talking quite 

 loudly — men call it bawling — and jumping about, and a man came over 

 and said that he would like to umpire the game." The Holstein said, 

 "Man, what is he? The most helpless creature that ever came into the 

 world. He does not know enough to feed himself, and has to depend 

 upon us for food. " 



It is undoubtedly true, that, while we consider ourselves above the 

 lower animals, it would be very interesting indeed if we could know 

 something of what they think about us. 



The first thing I want to emphasize in the production of milk is that 

 we must have a good cow. What is a good cow? One that will produce 

 at least 6,000 pounds of milk, or make not less than 250 pounds of 

 butter in one year, at a cost of not more than $30 for feed. Such 

 a cow as that is a profitable animal. Will you bear in mind that a care- 

 ful estimate, based upon results of the cow-testing associations, states 

 that the average production of the cows of the Provinces of Ontario and 

 Quebec, which comprises the best dairying districts in Canada, is only 

 3,000 pounds of milk in the year. Is there any wonder that in some 

 dairying districts there is not enough milk to drink. There is no money 

 in keeping cows like this, and it is no wonder that people are not satisfied. 

 We have in our stable a Holstein which has produced 2,522 pounds of 

 milk in thirty days, within 500 pounds of the average annual production 

 of cows of Ontario and Quebec. In seven days she gave us 643 pounds, 

 and in one day 96 pounds of milk. If we had cows like that there would 

 be no trouble about having plenty of milk to drink. A man cannot afford 

 to keep cows that produce only 3,000 pounds of milk in a year. 



One of the factors that we must bear in mind regarding a good cow 

 is that we must have a strong, healthy, vigorous one, if we would have 

 milk that has what is called vitality. I think it would be impossible to 

 get the best milk for drinking purposes from a cow that is low in vitality. 



Second, the cow must be fed the right kind of food. There are some 

 men so generous that thev will feed their cows straw all winter, give 



