406 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Best 5, 



Poorest 5, ..... . 



Difference, ...... 



Difference per cent, 



Average profit, best 5, . 



Average profit, jjoorest 5, . . . 



Difference per cent between poorest and best, 



In the Kansas Experiment Station Bulletin No. 125 it was observed 

 that the average cow produced a butter income of $9.62, this having 

 been computed from statistics of an average of 626,000 cows i^er year 

 for ten years. A study of results for 82 herds in the best creamery 

 section showed an average annual income per cow (generally including 

 a calf worth $8 to $12) of $32.86. The best 5 herds, where calves were 

 valued at $8 apiece, averaged $45.13; while the poorest 5 herds, where 

 calves were valued at $12, averaged $23.59, — the best herds producing 

 twice as much as the poorest. 



It is futile to continue the examination of evidence in favor of better 

 cows. The owner of the best is constantly seeking to improve his herd. 

 He is alert to secure better animals and increase his profits. He reads 

 all the published information he can get, and is alive to all his needs. 

 The owner of poor cows, on the contrary, is in ignorance of the fact, 

 doesn't believe other cows would "do better on his feed," and has no 

 ambition to inform himself in regard to his business or improve his 

 conditions. 



The Way Discarded Cows are replaced. 

 We have submitted evidence of a truth which few people doubt, — 

 that some cows are far more profitable than others. The problem is, 

 how to get these better cows. Among those who make dairying an 

 important business, and pursue its practices intensively, the town and 

 city milk producers occupy a prominent position. It is a common con- 

 dition among these that their capacity to care for dairy animals is 

 limited to cows actually in milk, or at least to those milking during 

 the greater part of the year. Not possessing facilities for rearing the 

 heifers to replenish their herds, they depend upon purchase for fresh 

 cows. The purchase of milch cows, even by those best qualified to 

 select, is attended by more or less risk of disappointment. Cows are 

 commonly sold for a reason. Among the reasons for sale may be 

 mentioned old age; lack of constitution, or capacity to stand feed; 

 bad habits, such as kicking or restiveness, sucking or holding up milk ; 

 gai'get, resulting in defective udders; short teats; hard milkers; 

 abortion or other disorders. The majority of cows offered for sale by 

 dairymen who are breeders are the culls of their herds. Dairymen who 

 depend upon purchase for their cows realize this to a certain extent, as 



