46 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and the yield of milk and butterfat. Purebred bulls should be used 

 for the improvement of the dairy herd. Work in this direction is 

 being actively carried on by the Dairy Division of the Bureau of 

 Animal Industry in cooperation with state authorities, dairy asso- 

 ciations, and other agencies in the South and West. Besides assist- 

 ing the farmers hi keeping records and introducing purebred sires, 

 the Department furnishes plans for dairy barns, silos, dairy houses, 

 etc., gives advice as to the erection of these buildings, and assists in 

 the organization of dairy and live-stock associations. 



Cow-testing associations are an efTective means for improving dairy 

 herds and increasing their yield, and the Department has two men 

 engaged in giving assistance in organizing and conducting these asso- 

 ciations. This work is done always in cooperation with state officials 

 or some state or local institution. Twenty-eight new associations 

 were formed during the past fiscal year, making a total of 55 now in 

 operation in the United States. As an example of the value of the 

 work done by these associations, the records of one of them show that 

 in four years the average annual profit on each cow has been practi- 

 cally doubled, having been raised from $21.43 to $42.82, while the 

 average return for each dollar expended in feed has been increased 

 from $1.64 to $1.98. 



IMPROVEMENT OF CREAMERY BUTTER. 



The Bureau of Animal Industry has continued the inspection of 

 butter as it is received at the New York, Chicago, and San Francisco 

 markets, tlds inspection bemg made at the request of the dealer or 

 producer and the defects being pointed out and suggestions made for 

 remedying them. The competition among creameries for the pur- 

 chase of cream, however, has resulted in cream being accepted which 

 is sometimes in very bad condition, and as a result much creamery 

 butter of an uiferior quality is placed on the market. The Depart- 

 ment is endeavoring to encourage improvement in the quahty of 

 creamery butter by inducing the creameries to discriminate against 

 bad cream and by encouraging farmers to send their cream in a fresh 

 and wholesome state. It is found that good cream naturally pro- 

 duces a higher grade of butter, which commands a better price on the 

 market, so that good cream should yield the farmers a better price. 



IMPROVEMENT OF MILK SUPPLIES. 



The Department has also contmued to work both independently 

 and in cooperation with city authorities for the improvement of pubhc 

 milk supplies. The score-card system of dairy inspection is recom- 

 mended and has given good results in improving the sanitary condi- 

 tion of dairies. It is being used in 117 cities and towns, including 

 some of the largest cities in the country. As a result of these coop- 



