1G2 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The milk from a number of cows of different breeds and crosses was 

 examined microscopically and the proportion of globules of different 

 sizes determined. 



The author finds that in crossing Ayrshire cattle with other breeds 

 tlie size of the fat globules in the milk of the offspring is determined 

 by the breed with which the crossing is made. — f. w. woll. 



Statistics of the dairy, H. E. Alvord ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Bureau of 

 Animal Industry Bui. 11 {Dairy Bui. 1), 2^P- ^^i (Igtns. 5, map 1). — This 

 consists of an introductory, a discussion of the agricultural statistics 

 of the Eleventh Census by J. Hyde, general agricultural statistics, cows 

 and cattle of foreign countries by E. A. Pearson, and dairy statistics 

 later than 1890 for several States. 



In the Introductory the object and purpose of the Dairy Division 

 are discussed, and remarks are made on dairy statistics, the relative 

 importance of the dairy, estimates for 1895, and needed improvement 

 in dairy cattle. 



" At the close of the year 1895 the cows which may properly be regarded as dairy 

 animals constitute about one-third of all the neat cattle iu the United States, and 

 are about 17,000,000 in number. Dividing these roughly according to their principal 

 products, it may be considered that 11,000,000 cows are primarily butter producers, 

 1,000,000 cows produce all our cheese, and the milk from 5,000,000 cows is consumed 

 by the families of their owners, or on the farms where produced, or is sold to be 

 consumed as milk, fresh or condensed. . . . 



"This gives the grand total value of the dairy products of the country as 

 $454,900,000. If to this be added the skim milk, buttermilk, and whey, at their 

 proper feeding value, and the calves yearly dropped, the annual aggregate value of 

 the products of our dairy cows exceeds $500,000,000. This is regarded as a conserva- 

 tive estimate, and does not include the manure product, which has a very large but 

 quite uncertain value. 



"If the value per head estimated for cows in this country, viz, $22 to $25, is 

 accepted, these animals produce nearly 50 per cent more than their own value, 

 annually." 



Based on the estimates made, the author believes that " the average 

 cow of the country is far below a standard which is desirable and 

 entirely practicable," and emphasizes the need of continued improve- 

 ment in dairy cattle. A standard given is 5,000 lbs, of milk and 200 to 

 225 lbs. of butter per cow annually. 



"Every possible influence should be exerted to induce dairy farmers to weed out 

 their herds and keep fewer cows and bettor ones. At least the average quality of 

 cows kept for dairy purposes should be brought up to a respectable and profitable 

 standard. For the present the cow owner may reasonably require something over 

 2 gal. of milk per day for 4 months, then 2 gal. a day for the next 4, and at least 

 2 months more iu milk during the j'ear, with constantlj^ decreasing yield. This pro- 

 vides for an annual average yield of .5,000 lbs. of milk, or about 575 gal., wliich is 

 a fair ideal standard for the dairy cow in the United States." 



In the discussion of the statistics from the Eleventh Census, the 

 number and quality of neat cattle, the milch cows on dairy farms, total 

 amount of dairy products, the mile i)roduction, and the production of 

 butter and cheese on farms and in factories are considered. 



