350 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



fine one; the result of the cross was a heifer calf, and is now a six- 

 year old cow, so far inferior to her dam in every respect that she would 

 never be recognized. She simply looks what she is — reverted many 

 generations to some back ancestors. And yet she is not entirely un- 

 profitable. I have several times crossed this cow with my own bulls, 

 and her oldest calf has gone right back to the old type and is the very 

 best grade cow in my herd ; her next oldest calf is just coming into milk 

 and promises as well as the other. This inferior cow's dam also has a 

 heifer just coming in milk, and the two heifers can hardly be distin- 

 guished. I mention this simply to w'arn you of the dangers of promis- 

 cuous breeding, or crossing of different breeds. Stick to a line of breed- 

 ing, and although you need not closely in-breed, yet when you introduce 

 an out-cross, do so very carefully. Often when breeds are crossed the 

 first cross is an improvement, but in such cases the second cross is nearly 

 always a hard-looking specimen. 



I would suggest further that if any of you are in doubt as to proper 

 steps to take in any matter of dairying, that you write your Agricul- 

 tural College, some good, reliable dairy paper, and any responsible and 

 successful dairyman w-hom you think could help you out. Just enclose 

 a stamp or stamped envelope and you will surely get replies and sugges- 

 tions from all. Now, some of these may not exactly agree with others, 

 but they will all be helpful to you and you can use your own judgment as 

 your special case seems to require. I know had I followed this policy 

 more than I have it would have been better for me, and you will all find 

 the same to be the case with you I am quite sure. Do not be backward 

 about writing your troubles to private individuals — it is true many are 

 quite busy and you must not always expect long replies, but I take it 

 that any honest dairyman, with dairy interests properly at heart, will con- 

 sider it a pleasure to send you, may be just a few lines, but enough to 

 put you on the right track if you have made or are about to make a mis- 

 take. 



Missouri's future in dairyixg. 



Now, just a word in conclusion. Missouri is rapidly develop- 

 ing the dairy industry, and beyond doubt is destined to be one 

 of the greatest, if not the greatest, dairying State in the Union. 

 I expect to live to see her lead all other states in this in- 

 dustry. Three or four years ago I seldom noticed the transfer 

 of a registered dairy animal to a party in Missouri, and now I venture 

 to say not- a week passes but that a dozen or more registered dairy cat- 

 tle are purchased by Missourians. For the last week in October there 

 were nearly a dozen transfers recorded of Jerseys alone, and I am sorry 

 I am not in possession of this information as to other dairy breeds also. 



