53 



We need careful and repeated experiments to show us what 

 breed is best for our purjwse, and how cows should be kept to 

 secure the largest return at the least outlay. In old butter- 

 making times but little butter was made in the winter, and the 

 cows would thrive better that season on the hay and other fodder 

 produced by the farmer. But the milk-producer must keep 

 his quantity of milk in winter nearly equal to that of summer ; 

 consequently he must bestow extra care, and must use con- 

 siderable extra feed. The kind, quantity and manner of using 

 this extra feed is unsettled, and opinions among practical 

 farmers vary much. The only way to settle these matters is 

 by careful, patient experiment. And then how little is known 

 of the amount of milk our cows produce. One man tells you 

 cows generally do not average more than five quarts per day ; 

 another thinks a cow very poor if she will not average eight 

 on like keeping. Perhaps it may not be out of place here to 

 state the result of a trial made by the Chairman of your Com- 

 mittee a year or two since. 



The object was to ascertain how much an average cow would 

 give, on fair keeping, and how much difference there was be- 

 tween such a cow and the best. Accordingly three cows were 

 selected which had been kept upon the place several seasons, 

 and whose qualities were therefore known, and which calved, 

 as nearly as possible, at the same time. No. 1 was a cow 

 that had always been considered a fair milker ; No. 2 was 

 one of the best, — both natives ; No. 3 was a grade Ayr- 

 shire. 



No. 1 calved April 12th, and the 22d of the next March. 

 No. 2 calved April 25th, and the 19th of the next April. 

 No. 3 calved June 10th, and the 21st of the next June. 



The milk was measured carefully every Wednesday, and 

 the amount reckoned an average for the week. The follow- 

 ing was the result : 



