3/0 THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS 



1. How may a farm used for dairy purposes gain constantly in fertility ? 



2. Why is a good dairy cow said to be adapted to high-priced lands? 



3. What are the characteristics of the leading dairy breeds of cattle ? 



4. Name the breeds in order of the richness of their milk. In the order 

 of the quantity of milk given. 



5. What are the two methods that may be used in the selection of a 

 cow for profitable milk production ? Which is the better method ? 



6. How would you proceed to keep a record of the individual cows in 

 a herd? 



7. State how one can make improvement in the productive capacity 

 of the herd. 



8. Describe the appearance of a high-producing cow. 



9. What are the indications of good quality in a cow ? 



10. What are the indications of a good feeder ? 



11. What are the indications of a good heart and a good lung capacity? 



12. Describe the udder and milk veins of a high-producing cow. 



13. What are the important matters to consider in the selection of the 

 herd sire. 



14. What green crops may be used to supplement short pastures? How 

 may succulence be added to the winter ration? 



15. How can one tell when a cow is not getting enough feed? when 

 she is getting too much feed ? 



16. Why should the cow have all the roughage she will eat ? 



17. How may we know how much grain to feed a cow? 



18. Describe the best methods of handling and feeding calves which are 

 to be raised on skim milk. 



19. What are the principal considerations in building a barn for dairy 

 cows? 



EXERCISES 



1. Make a drawing to scale, showing the floor plan of what 

 you regard as a good dairy barn in which at least ten cows are to 

 be kept. 



2. Feed a cow a balanced ration for two weeks, then change to 

 some such ration as corn and timothy hay or corn stover. Weigh and 

 test the milk produced during each period. Compute the cost of feed 

 and the value of the milk and butter produced in each period. 



