328 ANNUAL BEPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



gatherinf]; data which would show how herds may be improved 

 throufjh record keepinir and its important resultant factors, namely, 

 the disposal of unprofitable cows, better feeding, and the raising of 

 heifer calves from the best cows only. However, it was found that 

 the desired data were not being obtained, as many coopefrators were 

 careless or uninterested, and tlie large number involved took up too 

 much of the field men's time; the result was incomplete records. It 

 was therefore decided to select a few suitable men in each State 

 and keep records with them for an extended series of years, getting 

 data which will be useful for comparative purposes. The work of 

 instructing farmers in the methods of record keeping, however, will 

 be continued actively. Forty-two purebred bulls have been added 

 to the herds in the South and West as a consequence of the herd 

 record work conducted or introduced by the field men. 



DAIRY DEMONSTRATION FARM NEAR DENISON, TEX. 



During the last three years the section of Texas in which Denison 

 is located has suffered from severe droughts, the one of 1911 being 

 the worst. Crops in these three years have been almost a total fail- 

 ure. This condition of affairs has been very hard on the demonstra- 

 tion farm. The crop failures necessitated the buying of a great deal 

 of expensive feed, while the extreme heat and our inability to get 

 proper feed at times have hindered to some extent the development 

 of the young stock and have reduced the production of the herd. 

 It is very gratifying that in the face of these trying circumstances 

 the farm is abie to show a balance on the profit side for the year 1911. 

 From January 1 to December 31, 1911, the receipts were $2,331.75 

 and the disbursements $2,238.97, leaving a balance of profit of $92.78. 



While no great financial gains have been made, there has been a 

 steady improvement in the condition of the farm and stock. With 

 a favorable season the farm is in condition to respond and to return 

 a profit. A great deal of manure has been hauled from Denison and 

 spread on the farm ; leguminous crops have been grown and green 

 manure crops turned under, besides the application of the manure 

 from the herd. All of this has resulted in a marked improvement 

 of the producing power of the soil. The young stock in milk give 

 promise of being a great deal better than their dams. Considering 

 the fact that a heifer with her first calf seldom gives more than 70 

 per cent of what she will produce when mature, it is estimated that 

 the heifers on the Denison farm will make an increased production 

 averaging 40 pounds of butterfat a year over that of their dams as 

 the result of one cross with a registered bull. 



A comparison of the inventories for the years 1909, 1911, and 1912 

 shows that the total valuation of the property, outside of tlie in- 

 creased producing power of the soil, has increased almost $2,000. 

 The live stock alone has increased almost that much. The totals of 

 the inventories for the three vears. respectively, are: 1909, $17,084.22; 

 1911, $17,136.45; 1912, $19,018.40. 



OTHER EXPERIMENTAL WORK. 



An experiment was begim in June at Summerville, S. C, with a 

 herd of 20 cows for the purpose of determining the effect of dipping 

 cows in an arsenical solution on the production of milk, solids, and 



