BREEDS OF DAIRY CATTLE 143 



gets the cows in calf, as the calves are of value only as causing fresh 

 cows and are disposed of as soon as possible. The first modification 

 of this system is to keep extra good cows for several seasons and the 

 next to raise heifers from some of the best milkers to replenish the 

 herd. This way of making up a herd and keeping good its numbers 

 requires abundant capital and rare judgment in buying and in sell- 

 ing. .It can not be recommended to one lacking experience, and even 

 the shrewdest buyer runs great risk of bringing tuberculous animals 

 into his herd. 



By Breeding. The other extreme is to begin with a few well- 

 selected animals as a foundation, and gradually build up the herd 

 to the size desired, by judicious breeding and natural increase. This 

 method takes time, and time which may be money, but it is by far 

 the safer and more satisfactory in its results, and it must be recog- 

 nized as a higher grade of dairy farming. 



Foundation of the Herd. A desirable combination in starting 

 is to buy the number of cows desired and good animals of the sort 

 determined in advance. If one's means will permit, include a few 

 superior cows and a first-class bull at any rate. Let the cows selected 

 be such as have had two calves, and perhaps three, so that they may 

 be judged by their own development and yet be young enough to 

 improve and be in full profit for some years. With a herd thus 

 formed, begin at once the work of improvement by breeding and 

 selection. Sell promptly any cow which proves unsatisfactory and 

 replace her by the best increase of the herd, or purchase occasionally 

 an animal which will raise the average quality. 



Purebred Dairy Cattle and Grades. A dairyman can hardly 

 be advised to buy at once a full stock of purebred cattle of any breed, 

 if his sole object and dependence for profit is to be the dairy product 

 of the herd. Such a venture will necessitate large investment, and 

 should include the breeding of registered animals, for sale at re- 

 munerative prices, as a part of the business. Well-bred and well- 

 selected grade cows of the line of blood desired seem to be the most 

 profitable animals for the practical dairyman, or at least the best to 

 begin with. If enterprising and progressive, the owner will hardly 

 be content with grades only. He may begin with only his bull pure 

 bred; presently he will want a registered cow to match, then one or 

 two more. Thus he will be steadily and properly working toward 

 a purely-bred herd. If the breed chosen is the right one for the 

 object sought, it will soon be found that the more of this blood the 

 herd contains the better. Starting with half-bred cows (the off- 

 spring of pure-bred bulls and dams of mixed or uncertain blood), 

 the next grade, three-fourths pure, will prove better dairy stock, if 

 the bull is what he should be and the increase has been culled. An- 

 other step higher is better still, better for the dairy, and so the grad- 

 ing goes up and improvement goes on until the blood of the herd is 

 practically pure, but for production only. The best dairy results 

 may thus be reached, but the herd has a taint. It lacks pedigree. 

 Its increase, however excellent in dairy performance, must pass and 

 sell as grades. The owner feels this, and is pretty sure to gradually 



