126 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [P. D. 4. 



Dairy Statistics. 



The number of dairy cows assessed in this Commonwealth 

 April 1, 1917, was 149,077, which, compared with 147,634 

 assessed in 1916, shows an increase of 1,443. This condition is 

 gratifying, for, excepting the loss by foot and mouth disease in 

 1915, there has been no decrease due to adverse dairy condi- 

 tions in the last three years. 



For the year ending November 30, 1917, 142,474,364 quarts 

 of milk were shipped into Boston by rail, and the year previous 

 118,516,214f quarts of milk were shipped into Boston, showing 

 the large increase in 1917 of 23,958,149^ quarts. 



Proposed Grade Heifer Contest. 



The Legislature of 1916 placed at the disposal of the State 

 Board of Agriculture a sum not exceeding $5,000 annually for 

 three years, to be expended in the encouragement of practical 

 dairying and the production of milk and dairy products of 

 superior cleanliness, and in developing the live-stock industry 

 of the State. 



For several years we have conducted clean milking and other 

 contests. We now propose to encourage the rearing of grade 

 heifers from good milking strains of dairy animals. 



For best heifers sired by pure-bred Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, 

 Guernsey, Holstein-Friesian, Jersey or Shorthorn bulls, and 

 from high-producing grade dams of any breed, heifers to be 

 born between April 1, 1917, and July 31, 1918, inclusive, prizes 

 aggregating $3,000 are offered. 



