46 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



fodder, which were largely produced for and used in our 

 dairies. Massachusetts is a State of cities and large towns. 

 Its population is almost entirel;f made up of consumers of 

 agricultural products. Less than nine percent of its inhabi- 

 tants are engaged in agriculture, while the other ninety-one 

 per cent depend entirely upon the market for their food, of 

 course including milk, butter and cheese. The sale of milk 

 for consumption as milk is the most important branch of 

 Massachusetts dairying, and it must in the nature of things 

 so continue. The demand for milk is constantly increasing. 

 But there are many farms on the hills of western Massa- 

 chusetts so remote from markets or railroad trains that the 

 sale of milk is impracticable, and it must be used for butter 

 making. The demand for prime butter increases with the 

 increase of population. Therefore dairying must continue 

 to be the main dependence of a large majority of Massa- 

 chusetts farmers. 



Where and how to get the Cows. 

 It is the universal complaint that profits are small, and 

 that many producers hardly get a new dollar for an old one. 

 It is well known to all dairymen that a good cow, or one 

 giving a large yearly yield, will profit her owner, while the 

 average cow will hardly pay for her keep. This truth has 

 been demonstrated by lecturers and essayists before this Board, 

 and figures given to illustrate the fact. I wdll not take your 

 time to again argue the case, but will assume that you all 

 accept it as an axiom in the dairy business. We must have 

 good cows. It is possible to purchase them, and a good 

 judge with a long purse may in time get together a paying 

 herd ; but he will meet with many disappointments, and will 

 be obliged to tr}^ and try again. Those who sell are loath to 

 sell their best. The cow that kicks over the milk pail, gores 

 the peaceable members of the herd, jumps the pasture fence, 

 has had an attack of garget, has a slight cough or has some 

 other trick or imperfection, is always for sale. Still, with the 

 able and minute directions of Hoard, Twitchell and others in 

 mind, a good trader should have courage to try the market 

 for cows that will pay a profit. In fact, that is the only 

 source of immediate relief. 



