Freeborn County Jerseys. 93 



county, would result in the accumulation of facts and 

 figures which would emphasize the value of the blood 

 of the best animals in the hands of the association. The 

 name of the county would take the place of Jersey. 

 Freeborn County, Minnesota; for example, could so 

 breed Jersey cattle that in 20 years it could gain the 

 reputation of being a better place from which to secure 

 Jerseys than Jersey Island. Breeders could make pedi- 

 grees emanating from Freeborn County have as fetching 

 a meaning to the average mind as "imported from Jer- 

 sey" once had. And in making these suggestions for 

 breeding dairy cattle, because with this class of ani- 

 mals the subject can best be illustrated, it is clearly 

 borne in mind that methods already in vogue are fairly 

 satisfactory and are doing wonders in building up 

 breeds of dairy cattle in this country. 



To make this illustration more complete detailed 

 suggestions concerning Freeborn County dairy breed- 

 ing might aid. It should be stated as a reason for se- 

 lecting this county that here the people already know 

 how to co-operate. Freeborn is one of the banner dairy 

 counties in Minnesota, and here Prof. Haecker, head 

 of the Minnesota Dairy School, first found co-operative 

 dairying, now generally introduced, in successful opera- 

 tion. The co-operative creameries have shown the 

 farmers that they can co-operate among themselves and 

 also with the experiment station and that by merging 

 certain of their interests they can accomplish greater 

 results individually and collectively. Would it not be 

 practical for some such plan to be adopted as is here 

 suggested ? 



Let a large number of farmers, 25, 50 or 100, form 

 a co-operative breeders' association. Let each member 

 have one vote for each registered and accredited Jersey 

 animal he owns. Let the association adopt stand- 

 ards under which the animals may become accredited. 

 Devise a system of records O'f average an- 

 nual milk and butter yields. Devise, if prac- 

 ticable, a method of recording the cost of food 



