426 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



THE BABCOCK TEST IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



Ever since the Babcock test has been generally used as a means of 

 determining the amount of butterfat produced by individual cows, 

 dairy authorities have recognized the value of placing these ma- 

 chines in the hands of dairymen. Farmers and dairymen have been 

 urged to weigh the milk from each cow and test the product on the 

 farm as this part of the dairy work always creates an interest in 

 better dairy animals and adds an attractive feature to the other- 

 wise monotonous labors of the dairyman. 



Realizing the importance of reaching the young people on the 

 farm, the operation of the Babcock test has been demonstrated to 

 large numbers of pupils in the schools throughout the state and the 

 interest shown in this subject leads us to believe that within a 

 short time the subject of testing milk and cream. will be taught as 

 a part of a regular course in agriculture in the rural schools. 



The Owasa public school has during the past year carried on a 

 course of instruction in testing milk and cream and prizes were 

 offered to those who stood highest in an examination given at the 

 close of the school year in June, 1914. In giving the examination 

 the same blanks were used as have been adopted in examining oper- 

 ators of the Babcock test before issuing licenses in this state and 

 the papers filled out by these pupils were very creditable and in- 

 dicated that the instruction had been thorough. In addition, these 

 pupils were given instruction in the care of milk and cream and 

 bulletins issued by this department were used as a text in school 

 work. Essays written by the various pupils, which were later 

 submitted to this department, for grading, indicate that the pupils 

 gained a very clear idea of the subject matter and we believe this 

 plan furnishes the best means of improving the quality of Iowa 

 butter. Keeping in mind that many of these boys and girls will 

 within a few years be the people who will live on the farms of Iowa, 

 we cannot over-estimate the importance of teaching them proper 

 methods in the care of milk and cream. 



Much of the poor cream produced is a result of failure on the 

 part of our dairymen to understand the necessity for giving the 

 best care to their produce and no work undertaken in recent years 

 will bring greater direct benefit to the individuals and to the state 

 as a whole than this line of instruction in the rural schools of the 

 state. 



