CHAPTER II 



IMPORTANCE OF THE DAIRY 



THERE are more than $2,000,000,000 invested in 

 the dairy interests in the United States, more than is 

 engaged in the national banking business. It is esti- 

 mated that it requires 18,000,000 cows to supply the 

 milk product of the United States. The dairy and 

 agricultural machinery and implements used in carry- 

 ing on this industry are worth over $200,000,000. 

 More than 700,000 persons are engaged as hired 

 help; 30,000,000 tons of hay and 300,000,000 bushels 

 of grain are consumed annually by the cattle and 

 horses used in the dairy trade in the United States. 

 The rapidly increasing annual production means an 

 enormously increased importance to dairying. 



Twenty-five years ago comparatively few specially 

 bred cows cows bred for milk or butter production 

 were found in the average dairy herd. Prices of 

 such cattle were at that time prohibitive. From $300 

 to several thousand dollars were required to secure 

 a good registered animal of any recognized dairy 

 breed. To-day a better specimen can be purchased 

 at prices ranging from $30 to $75 than could be 

 secured at any price thirty years ago. Then four- 

 teen pounds of butter a week was about the maxi- 

 mum to be expected from the best Jersey or Guern- 

 sey cows. To-day twenty-five pounds a week is not 

 unusual, and few first-class Jersey, Guernsey, or 

 Holstein herds are to be found in which there are 



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