IMPROVEMENT IN MILCH COWS. 117 



herds, to redeem the waste places, and make the old and 

 neglected homesteads joyous with renewed life in the midst 

 of fruitful fields of grass and grain. 



R. N. Oakjvian, for the Committee. 



MILCH COWS. 

 HINGHAM. 



[From the Report of the Committee.] 



Of the different branches of farming there is none of more 

 importance than the dairy. 



In the time of our fathers our farms were rich in natural 

 fertility, and supported large herds without artificial helps. 

 Although our farms have depreciated in natural fertility, the 

 dairy has not only held its own, but has actually increased 

 nearly if not quite twofold since that time. To-day the 

 dairy is second to no other branch of farming throughout 

 a large portion of New England ; and the question arises, 

 " Why is it so ? " There are many reasons for it ; and one 

 of the most important is the improvement in cows and in 

 the management of them. In place of large herds of native 

 " scrubs," we have now our grades and pure bred cows with 

 pedigree, showing their descent from great milkers. Where 

 can the farmer be found to-day who has not either Ayrshires, 

 Jerseys, Devons, or Short-horns, or grades of one or more of 

 these breeds? One pure breed or good grade is of more 

 value than three natives. The former will consume no more 

 fodder than the latter, but will yield twice as much milk, and 

 twice to three times as much butter, as natives averaged in 

 the days of our fathers. 



When I was a boy, cows that averaged five to six pounds 

 of butter per week in the best of the season were considered 

 good : now, good cows yield from ten to fifteen pounds, and 

 some even more. In the management of cows there has also 

 been a great change during the last thirty years. Then cows 

 were not housed at night for milking till freezing weather, 

 and seldom had any other feed than grass : now most farm- 

 ers stable them at night the year round ; and in the milk-rais- 



