CHAPTER IV. 



THE DAIRY COW 



The dairy industry is perhaps the most important 

 single line of farm work in the United States at 

 the present time and is rapidly becoming more and 

 more important. This country was not at first 

 greatly interested in dairying, but the profits to be 

 derived from the proper management of dairy cows 

 are gradually inducing an increased number of men 

 to engage in this business. In fact, as population 

 increases and becomes more dense, it cannot be 

 otherwise than that the dairy industry will continue 

 to become relatively more extensive and more im- 

 portant. While foods are cheap, pasture to be had 

 practically for nothing, and while little labor is 

 required for the management of cattle, sufficient 

 returns may be obtained from beef animals to pay 

 for the money invested. As soon as population 

 becomes dense, however, and the price of all feed 

 stuffs and labor connected with the production 

 of beef increases, the profits to be derived from 

 beef production are greatly cut down, and the beef 

 raiser must practice all possible lines of economy 

 and exercise shrewd business ability in order to 

 avoid failure. Dairying, however, is much more 

 susceptible of an almost unlimited development 

 under conditions of dense population. In the first 

 place, dairy cows do not require any extensive 

 pasture. They may be more economically kept 



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