90 ANNUAL REPORTS OP DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



basis. When cow-testing associations could not be organized, farm- 

 ers were urged to keep their own records. 



BULL ASSOCIATIONS. 



One field man was assigned to the promotion of bull associations, 

 the object of these organizations being to furnish pure-bred bull 

 service at small cost through cooperative ownership. A survey of 

 the field showed that about 50 associations had been organized during 

 the last nine years, of which about 25 had discontinued operations. 

 The causes of failure were found to be chiefly poor business manage- 

 ment and the lack of local leadership. As a result of a study of both 

 active and discontinued associations plans were formulated for em- 

 bodying their good and eliminating their undesirable features. 

 Organizations were then effected in Iowa, South Carolina, North 

 Carolina, and Massachusetts. In these associations, in sections repre- 

 sentative of varied conditions, new plans are being tried out under 

 careful observation before any large movement for pushing bull 

 associations is undertaken. 



At present there are 32 active associations in 15 States, owning 

 approximately 141 bulls, with 650 members who own about 6,000 

 cows. 



SCHOOL WORK. 



Considerable effort was devoted to work in the public schools in 

 bringing the principles of correct dairy practice before the boys and 

 girls in the rural communities in an interesting and instructive way. 

 Babcock testing for butterfat, the keeping of records of the cows at 

 home, buttermaking, and dairy-cattle judging are useful exercises 

 for school work that have been used successfully in both grade and 

 high schools. 



Clubs of boys and girls that perform the duties of cow-testing 

 associations have been organized in several States and have proved 

 successful both in instructing the boys and girls and in interesting 

 their parents in better methods. 



COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN DAIRYING. 



The project of community development in dairying was trans- 

 ferred from Algona, Iowa, to Grove City, Pa., February 1, 1916, the 

 purpose of the change being to have at the latter place a combination 

 of the three forms of work, fanning extension, manufacturing ex- 

 periment, and laboratory research. 



The dairy-farm work was begun last winter in a dairy-farm sur- 

 vey of this community ; 135 farms were visited, and tabulations were 

 made regarding their status. Both dairying and general farming 

 in the community are undeveloped, the soil being poor and the build- 

 ings inadequate. Most of the farms have no silos or milk houses, 

 and the cattle in use are natives. Prior to the starting of the cream- 

 ery the market for dairy products was poor, but the creamery has 

 paid good prices, and dairying is rapidly becoming popular. Many 

 silos have been built and there is considerable interest in improved 

 stock. A cow-testing club has been formed, which is expected in 

 time to lead to a regular association. A local bank has arranged to 

 lend money to farmers for the purchase of dairy cattle. 



