28 



amounting, during the last season, to $13,000,000 for butter 

 and 114,000,000 for cheese. The exportations this year have 

 paid more than $1,000,000 freight, or enough to support a 

 weekly line of steamers to Europe. They have paid $5,000,000 

 freight to the railroads of the country, and milk pays nearly as 

 much more."* 



We do not know where to find a more comprehensive 

 though concise, statement of the importance and value of the 

 Milch cow in the United States than in the above. 



We say in the aggregate Queen Cow, and the title is well 

 deserved, but no cow is worthy of belonging to the royal 

 family who does not yield at least 2000 qts. of milk in a year. 

 If this were only true of all, the above figures would be largely 

 increased. 



What we wish to show is that, at present prices, it does not 

 pay to keep a cow that gives less milk than the quantity men- 

 tioned, and we believe with the present abundance of improved 

 breeds of cattle there is no excuse for keeping a poor animal. 

 Many thorough-breds can be now purchased at prices very 

 little above that of common stock, so that the cost should not 

 stand in the way of any one really wishing to improve his herd. 

 To show the absolute need of improvement, we would state 

 that according to statistics prepared a few years ago, the 

 average in N. Y. dairies was 1300 qts. per cow, and in the best 

 dairies only 1800 qts. 2000 qts. is a fair yield : but is it 

 sufficient at present prices to leave any profit after the keep, 

 &c., has been deducted ? 



The farmer who sells his milk at the door or delivers it to 

 the contractor on the cars gets from 2 to 3 cts. per quart. 

 Will a cow, yielding 2000 qts. per year, pay for her keep at 

 these prices ? We think not. This brings us to the cost of 

 keeping a cow : — Reckoning 7 months at $6 and 5 months at 

 $3 for feed — a low estimate where milk is the object, — we have 

 $57 for the year. 1000 qts. at 2| cts. and 1000 qts. at 3 cts. 



*The Nation, Dec. 19, 1878. 



