I200 Rural School Leaflet 



COWS 



The Editors 



J IE cow is given for special study for the older 

 pupils each year, because of its importance in 

 the farming communities of New York State. It is 

 interesting to know that within the past few years 

 the total number of dairy cows in New York State 

 has actually decreased, so that, instead of being fore- 

 most among the States in this regard, New York now has 

 the second place and Wisconsin the first. It might be in- 

 v'u teresting to have the children seek for reasons for this 

 change — both for the decrease in New York State, and 

 for the increase in Wisconsin. 



It is not expected that any teacher will use all of the material given 

 in the following pages, but that a selection will be made of parts that 

 are best adapted to the particular locality, and of most interest to the 

 school. Many points that are mentioned in the notes on the study of 

 horses can be used to good advantage in the study of cows, particularly 

 those with reference to a survey of cows in the community. Many 

 boys and girls on the farm help to take care of the cows and the young 

 stock, and it would be of particular advantage to encourage these children 

 to obtain information regarding the various points discussed, and to report 

 to the school. It might also be possible to visit one or more of the farms, 

 and on such an occasion the boy or girl living at the farm visited, would 

 find a great deal of pleasure in acting as host. 



An exhibit of material related to cows and dairying might be collected 

 at the school, such things as samples of the different feeds given to cows, 

 dairy utensils illustrating sanitary practices, a Babcock tester, and illus- 

 trations of various kinds of cattle with short descriptions of their value 

 and uses. The collection of such an exhibit would be of great help to the 

 children in centering their attention on the many phases of the subject. 

 A school exercise relating to cows could be held to which the older folk 

 might be invited; at this time the children could explain what they have 

 learned from preparing and studying the material collected. 



Many rural schools are now using a Babcock tester. The value of tliis 

 machine to the farmer is not thoroughly appreciated in some localities. 

 Too often it is felt that the tester is of use only to the manufacturer of 

 dairy products in determining the quality of the milk received, and the 

 fact is overlooked that this apparatus is of great value in detennining 

 which cows in a herd are profitable, and which are unprofitable. This 

 is determined by computing the value of the cows' feed and the value of 

 the milk produced, based on the quantity and the percentage of butter- 



