33 



Breeders of pure-bred stock must follow sharply the requirements 

 of the standard established by their associations, and combine 

 fancy and utility, but the milk maker has the single standard of 

 business by which to measure the individual heifer or cow. On 

 my desk lies a letter from a milk maker, who in six years has built 

 up the cows of his herd from six to nine, ten, twelve and thirteen 

 thousand pounds of milk each per year. One cow, which gave 

 9,474 pounds in 1899, increased to 13,708 in 1900, and in 194 

 days, from Oct. 15, 1900, to May 1, 1901, yielded up 11,120 

 pounds. That she will break her record before October there is 

 no question, and this upon a steady working ration for business, 

 producing milk to sell at the factory from 80 cents to $1.38 per 

 hundred pounds, to test 3f per cent., the price being graded for 

 the year, the average about $1.12. This cow's milk brought her 

 owner in 1900 $157.03, and for the 194 days named, $139.81. 

 Every cow in this large herd over four years must yield yearly not 

 less than $100 at these factory prices or she goes to the block or 

 market. The measure is by individuals and this insures profit. 



The study of the food question is of equal importance with that 

 of breeding. As conditions change, practices are to be modified. 

 Supplemental foods must to-day be increased, that the ill effects 

 of drought at any season of the year may be overcome. No shrink- 

 age in product can be permitted which care and food might pre- 

 vent. The silo for every day in the year promises to become a 

 necessity with the milk producer, as by its use the feeder can con- 

 trol the inevitable changes of the season and supply succulent food 

 to supplement the pastures or relieve the hay mow. The item of 

 grain purchased is an important one with dairymen, and if, by the 

 use of ensilage, Hungarian, oats, rye, barley or other succulent 

 crops, a saving is possible, good business demands immediate 

 action looking to an increase of these crops. 



Still another question facing the grower of any crop is that of 

 cost per ton, per bushel or per hundred pounds. In this are in- 

 volved all the contingents of soil adaptability, soil cultivation, 

 quality of seed and cost of fertilizer. That the question of soil 

 adaptability to given crops is not appreciated there can be no 

 doubt, and economy suggests more critical study. That cultiva- 

 tion plays a more important part than has yet been reckoned must 

 be admitted. Marked results obtained by and through continued 

 and complete cultivation demonstrate the importance of attention 

 to this one important step. 



The value of experimentation in the development of seeds to 

 produce crops of fine quality and which will mature early must be 

 admitted and the use of such must be depended upon by him who 



