Vermont Dairymen's Association. 133 



one. I believe, however, that a careful analysis of the data and 

 of the deductions which Mr. Lyon has drawn may prove of dis- 

 tinct advantage, and I mean this morning's remarks, inadequate 

 though they may prove, to be of this general character. 



Some of the criticisms have quite missed the point. For in- 

 stance, one of my good friends expresses regret that some of the 

 better dairy sections of the State were not visited and cites the 

 good results obtained in certain locations. This gentleman mis- 

 conceives the true function of a cow census. It is not an adver- 

 tising scheme to boom the dairy interests of the State or of any 

 section. It is not designed to exploit herds of known excellence. 

 Its primary object is to indicate the difference between herds. 

 Its main function is to point out unprofitable rather than profit- 

 able herds. Its study impels one to put on sackcloth and ashes 

 rather than fine raiment. In my judgment Mr. Lyon did just 

 right in not going to Pomfret or to Ryegate, where, as the whole 

 Vermont dairy world knows, high grade cows are milked 

 and high grade work done. It were far better that he seek 

 average dairy sections rather than those of highest dairy excel- 

 lence; and hence he went to average dairy farms in the countries 

 mentioned as fairly representative dairying locations. 



RESULTS IN OTHER STATES. 



As further proof that there was no animus in this matter of 

 the Vermont cow census, let me very briefly indicate the general 

 outcome in the censuses taken in other states. 



The census taken nearly 20 years ago in Jefferson County, 

 New York, covering over 300 herds of over five thousand cows, 

 showed that had the feed consumed by the cows been sold at 

 local market prices, the total income would have been $25,000 

 more than that received for the milk at the cheese factory. In 

 other words, these five thousand cows ran their owners into debt 

 that year over $25,000, if the proceeds from the sale of milk are 

 considered the sole income. 



Forty-eight herds in Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, in 

 1903. Ten herds failed to pay their way and 38 succeeded in pay- 

 ing their way. Returns for a dollar's worth of feed ranged from 

 $2.04 to 70 cents, feeds being rated rather lower than in Vermont. 



Onondaga County, N. Y., 1902. Forty-five herds, 11 did 

 not pay their way. Largest returns $2.37; smallest fifty-one 

 cents per dollar spent for feed. Only six of the forty-five failed 

 to receive good proteinous feeds. 



Bainbridge, N. Y., 1902. Investigation of 100 herds made 

 by Mr. Lyon in his own home town. 42 herds failed to pay their 



