146 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



of, a fat test should be made of the milk of every cow, for several 

 consecutive milkings, as often as practicable. Some form of the 

 Babcock tester is the simplest, and now within the reach of every 

 dairyman. (See Babcock Test.) According to the size of the ap- 

 paratus, a certain number of milk samples can be tested at one time, 

 and thus the record of a large herd can be completed in a few days. 

 It is well to make this test and record of the quality of every cow's 

 milk at least once a month. The most satisfactory practical record 

 is the average percentage of fat found in the milk of several suc- 

 cessive milkings, samples from which may be mixed and this com- 

 posite sample tested, thus obtaining the average ; the method is easily 

 learned and practiced. This record of quality, taken periodically, 

 joined with a summary of the daily quantity of milk, gives a full 

 dairy record of the cow, upon which her value can be readily com- 

 puted. To give the owner a more complete knowledge of his opera- 

 tions,- there should also be a record, of at least approximate accuracy, 

 of the food of every cow, with monthly summaries of quantities or 

 value, so that the economy of production may be shown. 



Value of Records. Such records are far more easily made than 

 the description may indicate, and are well worth all they cost. They 

 form the only accurate and safe basis for judging the individual 

 merits of the different animals. The improvement of every herd, 

 which should be the constant aim of its owner, depends upon period- 

 ical culling and getting rid of unworthy members. No one can 

 afford to do this upon guesswork alone. 



Raising the Standard. Good judges believe that in the entire 

 country one-fourth of the cows kept for their milk do not pay for 

 their cost of keeping, and nearly a fourth more fail to yield annual 

 profit. As a matter of ordinary business prudence and a condition 

 essential to best results, every dairyman should study the individ- 

 uality of his cows, keep a sufficient record of quantity and quality of 

 milk product, know approximately the cost of production, and sys- 

 tematically weed out his herd. After proper consideration and prac- 

 tical tests as to possibilities, set a standard for a satisfactory cow and 

 maintain this standard by promptly disposing of the animals which 

 fail to attain it, unless reasonable excuse appears, with the prospect 

 of better conduct in future, and gradually but persistently raise the 

 standard. 



Fewer Cows More Money. 'Tis quality of cows rather than 

 quantity that counts. It never pays to keep a really poor producer. 

 Reduce the herd half if necessary ; it's profits you want. Apply the 

 scales and test to the whole herd and an ax to the robber cow. A 

 certain dairyman had ten cows that gave him a total profit for the 

 year on the whole herd of only $81.20. The six best cows sepa- 

 rately would have profited him $82.62. Four cows were kept at a 

 great loss. 



Good Cows are Money Makers. The increasing demand for 

 milk indicates that there is money ahead for the wise dairyman. 

 Good cows require the attention of a good man in order to be profit- 

 able. Abundant food, congenial stables and kind treatment are 



