36 



Milk Test Associatioxs. 



The weighing and recording of individual milk 5-ields is well within 

 the abilities of the dairymen. The expense for spring balances and 

 milk scores need not exceed S4 for an indefinite period, five or ten years. 

 If one would not weigh daily, results obtained by a three days' record 

 for each month, and the sum multiplied by ten, has been found to 

 approximate very closely to actual daily weighing. 



But the use of the Babcock test on farms is less easy and practicable, 

 and the solution must be found in co-operation. First in Denmark, 

 then in Canada, and afterwards in the United States, communities of 

 dairj-men have clubbed together and employed an expert to test 

 their cow^s. Any bright young man with a dairj^ school training can 

 do this, and the expense would be insignificant as compared with the 

 benefits derived. One expert could test the cows of from 25 to 50 

 dairies, to the number of 300 to 500, once a month for a year at a cost 

 somewhat as follows : — 



Wages of expert, 365 days at $2 S730 



Team, 50 cents a day and feed, 183 



Babcock tester, glass ware, balances, acid, etc., . . . 50 



$963 



This outlay would make the cost of monthly tests S2 to S3 per cow, 

 perhaps an average of $75 in a 20-cow dsLiry. I do not believe that 

 there is a 20-cow dairy in the State in which the judicious use of the 

 information so gained would not increase its profits three times the 

 outlay. Farmers, j^ou haven't many opportunities to make $3 in a 

 year by spending $1. 



An expert is not limited to the number of herds and animals specified 

 to secure satisfactory results. By expanding so as to make a quarterly 

 instead of a monthly test, a man's capacity could be increased to 1,000 

 or 1,200 cows, which could thus be tested at SI a head. 



Here is an opportunity for granges to take up a matter of much 

 economic interest to their patrons. If a subordinate grange is too 

 small to warrant the enterprise singly, let two or more combine, or 

 let a Pomona grange undertake it. As a grange, j'our work would be 

 to find the suitable person for the work. His part would be to secure 

 patronage. This would rapidl)' increase when once well started by 

 grange influence. 



When dairymen once know the performance of each of their cows, 

 and what it means to them, they will wonder why they have remained 

 in ignorance so long. 



