88 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRIOULTTJRE. 



a tester to keep the production and feed records of their cows by 

 means of data gathered at a one-day's monthly visit to each farm. 

 Up to the present year there has been a steady increase in the number 

 of these associations in operation each year. The total number of 

 associations active June 30, 1918, was 357, composed of 9,847 dairy- 

 men owning 172,518 cows, compared with 472 associations, 12,088 

 dairymen and 216,831 cows a year before. Last year it was prac- 

 tically impossible in many cases to obtain testers. This prevented 

 the organization of many associations and caused numerous others 

 to become inactive. Wisconsin, with a total of 112 active associa- 

 tions compared with the 81 of last year, furnished a notable exception 

 to the general showing of the several States. Various expedients 

 have been used in the different States to meet the need for cow testers. 

 Graduates of county agricultural schools, under 21 years of age, high- 

 school boys, women, and men above draft age have all been used. 



The cooperative buying of feed has become a general practice in 

 many associations Fifteen organizations in Iowa saved S4,392 on 

 the purchase of cottonseed meal alone, and another association in the 

 same State saved $3,382 on the purchase of feeds and seeds. In 

 Indiana several associations purchased cooperatively 50 carloads of 

 grain, and in Wisconsin a like quantity was bought, while in Min- 

 nesota S5,000 was saved in feed buying. 



A new feature of the work in Wisconsin was the establishment of 

 a "Cow-Testing Association Register of Production" in which cows 

 may be entered after producing 365 pounds of butterfat in one year 

 under cow-testing association supervision. 



BULL ASSOCIATIONS. 



Cooperative buU associations, formed by groups of farmers for the 

 cooperative purchase, use, and exchange of high-class dairy bulls, are 

 likewise promoted and supervised by the Dairy Division and have 

 reached a stage of development where their value is more fully appre- 

 ciated by dairy farmers. In the Southern States bull associations are 

 giving good results. In North Carolina and South Carolina they have 

 been especially successful in increasing their membership and the 

 number of pure-bred and grade cows. One association in the latter 

 State in less than three years has developed a section, previously 

 without dairying, into a recognized dairy center. In the Far West, 

 although special attention to bull associations covered a period of 

 only three months, 3 associations were organized and many others 

 are in prospect. 



On June 30, 1918, there were 44 active associations composed of 

 1,900 members owning 225 bulls, 597 pure-bred cows, and 10,248 

 other cows, a gain of 8 associations, 726 members, 36 bulls, 61 pure- 

 bred cows and 2,263 other cows over the preceding year. 



COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN DAIRYING. 



The work in community dairy development at Grove City, Pa., 

 which was organized for demonstrating what could be accomplished 

 in the dairy development of a community by means of the help ren- 

 dered by a dairy specialist and for determining the profitableness of 

 such intensive development, has been continued with good results. 

 Much has been accomplished through the local organizations, namely, 



