26 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



the prodnct of more than one-half of these cows does not pay 

 market price for the food they consume, and the labor of car- 

 ing for them day after day is performed for nothing ? And 

 do you know that there are herds in this State where the net 

 profits from the sale of milk and the sale of stock are $10,000 

 a year, — more than $100 per cow ? What an opportunity for 

 improvement, and what a need of a great awakening of dairy 

 farmers and the dissemination of dairy education ! We must 

 learn what it costs to feed and care for our cows, and then see 

 that every day we get at least a little profit from every cow 

 we keep. 



In studying this problem, there are four factors which we 

 must consider : man, cow, feed, market. 



Man. — Without the man who loves his animals, sees to 

 their constant comfort, and feeds them all they need without 

 overfeeding, success is impossible. The trained feeder cannot 

 tell his man how to feed ; it must be done by the master's 

 eye and the master's hand. 



Hired Labor. — The dairy hand must be a high-class 

 laborer. A small proportion of laborers are fit to work about 

 live stock and market milk. He must be a strong, active 

 worker, for the work is heavy and constant. He must have 

 good health, for human diseases are transmitted to cattle, and 

 the milk is a ready conveyer of diseases to city customers. He 

 must be naturally clean in all his habits, for no number of 

 rules from the boss will force a filthy man to produce clean 

 milk. Even smoking, which is a universal habit among all 

 classes, is almost prohibited in the dairy. I have employed a 

 good many men, and have had but a very few smokers. I am 

 not a tobacco crank, but experience has taught me that the 

 employee who wears a pipe is usually too careless to care for 

 cows and dairy utensils. He must also be a man of quiet, 

 gentle disposition, to get along well with dairy stock or dairy 

 customers. He must have both science and natural skill, 

 whether he is to feed, milk and care for cattle, or care for 

 dairy utensils and dairy products. What other business, trade 

 or profession demands so many requisites in one man as dairy- 

 ing? He must also be punctual and steady, and report for 

 work early every morning, including Sundays and holidays; 



