636 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



The following table gives the yearly averages of nine herds which were 

 in the association from the beginning. 



YEARLY AVERAGES PER COW OF NINE HERDS FOR FOUR YEARS. 



These tables show a continuous increase in the average production. The 

 richness of the milk has also increased. The average profit per cow has 

 been doubled. Some of this increase in profit is partly accounted for by 

 the increase in the price of butterfat, although feed prices show an al- 

 most corresponding increase. In these calculations it has been assumed 

 that the value of the calf, skim milk, and manure from each cow would 

 offset the cost of stabling labor, and caring for her. 



METHOD OF ORGANIZING. 



The usual way of organizing an association has been to ascertain the 

 extent of the interest in dairying in a community, and to call a meeting 

 and explain the merits of the cow-testing association as an institution. 

 If enough interest is exhibited to warrant going on with the work, a 

 temporary organization is effected, and the neighborhood is thoroughly 

 canvassed during the following few days in search of additional mem- 

 bers for the association. When enough have been secured a second meet- 

 ing is called, at which the organization is perfected, officers elected, and 

 by-laws adopted. 



In order to support a cow-testing association it is necessary that there 

 should be 26 herds, conveniently located, and a sufficient number of cows 

 so that the tester can get a reasonably good salary. As it is each member's 

 duty to furnish the tester's conveyance to his next place of work, it is 

 necessary that the farms of the members be located near enough together 

 so he can be conveyed without inconvenience. A distance of 2 miles is 

 not too great to give satisfaction, and the conveyance is often furnished 

 by some passer-by. If the cow-tester keeps his own horse and buggy, as is 

 the case in some associations, a larger territory is usually accommodated. 

 In such cases the members must furnish feed and stabling for his horse. 

 The charge to the farmer is usually $1 a year for each cow. This money 

 constitutes the pay of the tester; and it is desirable that there should 

 be not less than 400 cows in an association, in which case the tester gets 

 $400 a year. In addition he gets his board and lodging free of charge 

 at the farm where he is working. There being only twenty-six working 

 days in a month, it is not possible to have more than twenty-six members, 



