10 CANADIAN DAIRYING. 



the man who depends solely upon one crop, such as 

 wheat. By feeding whey, skim-milk, or buttermilk 

 to animals upon the farm, the dairy farmer converts 

 these by-products into valuable ones, such as bacon, 

 beef, dairy cows and poultry, thus obtaining an addi- 

 tional source of revenue from what was once con- 

 sidered a waste. 



The 1 farmer hopes to make profit by producing 

 food which others require. The prime materials for 

 the manufacture of food are soil, sunlight, air and 

 water. Of these four, the soil is of chief importance 

 to the farmer, as the others are obtained for the 

 most part free. Hence, it is necessary that the dairy 

 farmer should understand his soil, and know how to 

 conserve the plant- food stored up in his farm. 



As it is not possible for the farmer to directly 

 change his prime materials into food, he makes 

 use of two classes of agents plants and animals. 

 Plants cause the first change of prime materials into 

 food, but a further and more valuable change is made 

 as a result of using animals. Animal food as a rule 

 is more valuable and more easily digested than food 

 in the form of plants ; hence consumers of food are 

 willing to pay a higher price per pound for it. The 

 farmer should aim to produce high-priced foods as 

 far as possible, thus increasing his profits. To do this 

 economically, he requires the best plants and the best 

 animals which can be obtained for his purpose. 



Dairy farms need not be large. A small farm 

 growing a maximum amount of crops at a minimum 

 expense, and which receives the personal attention 



