BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 325 



iials rather tlian through institutes, associations, etc. This makes 

 progress slower: nevertheless there is a steady and substantial growth 

 in dairying in the Southern States. In order to make this work most 

 effective it is distributed widely over the respective States, so as to 

 have the object lessons brought within sight of as many farmers as 

 possible. It is reported that 55 silos have been built by reason of 

 the influence of those built by our Held men in two Southern States. 

 The object is to work dairying into the general system of cotton farm- 

 ing, rather than to replace that system. As direct results of this 

 work, during the year 118 silos were built (71 stave silos. 39 con- 

 crete, and 8 of other types), 14 dairy houses were built and 11 re- 

 modeled, 21 barns built and 25 remodeled, 26 purebred bulls were 

 added to herds, 4 cow-testing associations and 1 bull association were 

 organized, and 7G dairymen kept records of their herds. Twenty-five 

 of the stave silos cost an average of $1.90 per ton capacity, and 24 con- 

 crete silos $2.G8 per ton capacity. Dairy instruction has been intro- 

 duced into several schools outside of the agricultural colleges. At- 

 tendance at a variety of public meetings, including fairs, is an im- 

 portant part of the field work. 



WESTERN FIELD WORK. 



In the main the western demonstration work is conducted in the 

 same way as the southern. Conditions in the Western States, how- 

 ever, are such as to make dairying develop more rapidly in com- 

 munities, and because of this fact, as well as because of the great 

 size of the Western States, the work is confined to a more restricted 

 area in each State and not distributed over the whole State, as in the 

 South. Up to the present time this Avork has been carried on in 

 Colorado, Idaho. North Dakota, and Iowa. The results have been 

 very beneficial, and a great many requests to take up work in new 

 places have been received. In Twin Falls County, Idaho, the dairy- 

 men have organized to raise funds, with the assistance of the county 

 commissioners and the State authorities, for the employment of a 

 field man to work especially in that locality. 



There is a particularly fine field for work of this character in the 

 irrigated regions, where in places large quantities of alfalfa are 

 produced. This alfalfa should be consumed on the farms in order to 

 realize proper prices and also to conserve the fertility of the soil. 

 Furthermore, in this way the dairymen can supply the demand of the 

 surrounding country for dairy ])roducts, which to a considerable 

 extent are now imported from the Fast and the Middle West. 



The statements already made in regard to public meetings and 

 cooperation with State authorities apply also to the western work. 

 Special work in Iow\a is described elsewhere. 



During the year 40 silos were built in the West as a result of this 

 work, 9 of stave construction, 38 of concrete, and 2 of other types. 

 The interest in silo building is increasing rapidly. In Colorado, for 

 instance, there were le.ss than a dozen silos two vears ago; to-day there 

 are over 100. The concrete silo is very economical, particularly where 

 lumber is expensive, and for this reason it is often recommended. The 

 cost of construction to the farmer is greatly reduced in many cases by 

 cooperation with our field men. One Colorado farmer had a con- 

 crete silo, 14 by 37 feet, built by contract at an expense of $368.20. 



