FOURTEENTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 



755 



Fig-. 2. Roug-e II of the Brickfield, owned by Iowa State College. Has 

 a year's record of 10,963 pounds of millc and 612.53 pounds of butter fat. 

 World's record for a 21^ year old imported Guernsey. 



selves. This illustrates the fact that cows need not necessarily 

 be pure bred for a buyer or dairyman to take advantage of pedi- 

 gree. Every cow has a pedigree, but not all pedigrees are on paper, 

 [n view of this fact, in selecting grade cows look up and consider 

 the performance of dams as far back as they can be found. 



Many buyers wisely use the Babcock test and scales in making 

 their selections. By their use it is possible to determine the exact 

 number of pounds of milk and butter fat produced by an animal. 

 By noting whether she is advanced in her period of lactation and 

 what her care and feed have been, the buyer can come closer to 

 judging her real value as a milk and butter making machine than 

 by any study of mere outward appearance. It has been truly said 

 that the inside of a cow is the darkest place on earth and that, 

 therefore, outward appearances are very deceitful. The scales and 

 the Babcock test are the best guides, particularly the more accurate 

 yearly tests which are to be emphasized rather than short tests. 



Beginners in dairy farming should gain their experience and 

 establish their reputation by starting in with grade cows and a 

 pure bred bull. Later, by purchasing one or two excellent cows 

 from time to time, they may get gradually started in pure breds. 

 By keeping a record of the production of each cow and noting the 

 relative cost of production much can be accomplished in a few 



