164 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



fair price at tlie farm ; and yet the average of our poorest 

 half is better by nearly 1,000 pounds than the other aver- 

 ages quoted. 



Now, what is the difference in actual value between the 

 animals classified as the "better'' and the "poorer half" of 

 our own herd? It is diiBcult to make an arbitrary figure, 

 because several things enter into the computation which 

 cannot be accurately estimated ; among others, the greater 

 liability of the larger producer to milk fever, garget and 

 other troubles, that may take her out of our profitable list. 

 But, assuming the average producing years to be five, the 

 cash value of this difference in product is $150.60. Sup- 

 pose Ave pay $50 more for the better than for the poorer 

 cow, and allow 6 per cent compound interest on this addi- 

 tional sum, — she would have cost us $66.90 more at the 

 end of five years than the poorer cow, and we would still 

 be $83.70 to the good ; and yet who of us, in buying, will 

 alloAV that there can be $50 difference between a good cow 

 and an extra good one? 



But how are we to obtain these so-called extra good 

 cows? The only satisfactory way I know is to raise them. 



Were dealers or sellers able, as all should be, to state 

 just the amount and quality of milk a cow had given for a 

 full year or for a series of years, the problem would be a 

 different one. At a meeting of Jersey cattle breeders some 

 years since, a man asked, in my presence, of another who 

 had a national reputation as a breeder of fine cattle, "What 

 do you consider the best points in buying a cow?" "I 

 think the milk pail is a pretty good point," said he. And 

 so it is ; but do not be deceived by the cow that gives an 

 innnense quantity when fresh. The year's product is the 

 only thing that counts Avhcn you balance the year's account. 



As to the relative value of cows raised or bought, I 

 have obtained from our books some figures that may prove 



interestmg. 



In 1901 we bought in Brighton market, on September 10 

 and 17, 22 cows, all grade Jerseys, and all bought, I have 

 no hesitation in saying (as I did not buy them m3^self), 

 with good judgment. They were all fresh and all promis- 



