PROFIT AND LOSS WITH ANIMALS 



361 



a man would be kept busy caring for twenty cows. If his wages were 

 $45 per month, it would therefore make a labor bill of $27 per cow 

 per year. 



The next item is one of interest on investment. Allowing $60 

 as the value of the cow, and $60 as each cow's share of the investment 

 in barn, tools, etc., the total investment per cow is $120. Interest 

 at 5 per cent equals $6 per cow. Taxes at ten mills on one-half 

 valuation calls for 60 cents, and insurance for at least 40 cents. These 

 interest charges must not be overlooked in any careful reckoning. 



The last item in the general bill of expense is one of $8 per year 

 for depreciation in the value of the cow. Unfortunately money put 

 into cows is not a permanent investment. The period of usefulness 

 of dairy cows will not average over four or five years. A large num- 

 ber turn out to be poor milkers not worth keeping, and must be sold 

 at a loss. Others are ruined by accident and by sickness, so that prob- 

 ably five years covers the average milking period of dairy cows. 



Summary for one herd of 16 cows for the year, February to February 



