98 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



mainly through the cow -testing and bull associations. Many other 

 animals were brought in by individuals. 



Seventeen new cow-testing associations were organized and 15 old 

 ones reorganized during the year; at present there are 32 of these 

 organizations. As an indication of the class of men acting as testers 

 it is noted that half of them are four-year graduates from agricul- 

 tural colleges. Where conditions were such that cow-testing asso- 

 ciations could not be formed the keeping of private herd records was 

 encouraged, as a result of which records of production were kept 

 last year for 157 herds, representing 2,709 cows. One new bull asso- 

 ciation was formed. 



Eighty-eight plans for dairy buildings were furnished to prospec- 

 tive builders, of which cost reports have been received for 27 barns, 

 15 dairy houses, and 7 creameries and cheese factories. The barns 

 constructed are much more convenient and sanitary than those for- 

 merly built. 



The campaign for more silos, instituted three years ago, has re- 

 sulted so far in the building of approximately 3,000 silos in the 

 Western States, of which 303 were built during the past year, mostly 

 in territory where silos were unknown. 



Besides personal visits, 567 farmers' meetings, with a total attend- 

 ance of 35,516, were attended by division representatives in the West. 



MARKET MELK IMPROVEMENT. 



Milk contests, as begun two years ago, are now being held in eight 

 cities in four States. There is an increased interest in them, and 

 their effectiveness as methods of improving the milk supply has been 

 clearly demonstrated. As a result of the interest aroused by the con- 

 tests, several cities and large distributors have installed laboratories 

 to make systematic inspections. The nature of these contests is such 

 that the dairymen, not knowing when they will be held, are constantly 

 preparing for them by improving conditions. Wide publicity is 

 given to the scores by the newspapers, and since the advertising value 

 of a good score is considerable it keeps up the interest among the 

 producers. 



CREAMERIES AND CHEESE FACTORIES. 



Three new creameries and four cheese factories were aided in 

 organization. Assistance has been given also to 85 other factories in 

 an effort to improve the quality of their product. 



DAIRY INSTRUCTION IN RURAL SCHOOLS. 



In 61 rural and high schools in 9 States instruction in some phase 

 of dairying was given by a representative of the division. In Nevada 

 a plan was introduced whereby the boys and girls of suitable age 

 could learn the methods of testing and herd-record keeping as a part 

 of their school course. Testing clubs with a membership of 389 stu- 

 dents were formed in 13 schools in connection with this work. Sev- 

 eral of the high schools in Utah have been furnished with blanks 

 for the students to use in keeping records, and they have classes 

 working through the summer season. 



