MILCII KINE. 



35 



to make liis flirm productive and profitable. And to a 

 great many of the members of this society that part 

 of their stock which constitutes their diary, is of more 

 consequence than all the rest. Upon all such the 

 question is often pressed, how can the best cows be 

 procured, and their number kept complete, when 

 vacancies occur from age, disease or accident? Is it 

 better or more profitable to raise our own cows than to 

 depend upon buying such chance animals as may come 

 in our way ? In the opinion of your Committee, there 

 can be but one answer to this question, and that is, 

 raise your own dairy stock. And we are glad to find, 

 from the large number and good quality of heifers on 

 exhibition to-day that this opinion is becoming more 

 prevalent among the members of this association. 

 Without hesitation, then we recommend increased 

 attention to the rearing of heifer calves. Breed from 

 the best cows you possess or can procure ; and, as the 

 good qualities of the animal probably depend quite as 

 much on the male progenitor as the female, make, when 

 it is practicable, judicious crossings with such blood 

 stock as have been tried and approved for their good 

 milking qualities; or else, begin and carry out, long 

 and patiently, such a process of selection and training 

 as shall make the dairy excellencies of your own cows 

 so fixed and permanent, that you can rely upon their 

 offspring inheriting their own good properties. At any 

 rate, raise your own heifer calves, and, in the end, it 

 will be more economical and satisfactory. 



There were on exhibition, demanding the attention 

 of your Committee, nearly 40 yearling heifers and 

 heifer calves. After a thorough examination of these, 



