2Q2 



BULLETIN 409 



Use of equipment 



The value of the different kinds of equipment used by dairy cattle, on 

 hand at the beginning and at the end of the year, and the number of farms 

 having each kind, are given in table 1 1 : 



TABLE ii. 



VALUE OF EQUIPMENT USED BY 2058 Cows, 1002 HEIFERS, AND 172 

 HERD BULLS 



Average value, $5.398. 

 Increase in value, $271. 







More than three-fifths of the value of equipment is in milk cans, pails, 

 strainers, and other dairy utensils, and wagons used in hauling milk. 

 The farmers, with the exception of the patrons of one company, owned the 

 cans they used. Since much of this equipment is in daily use, it requires 

 frequent repairing and must be replaced often. Hence its upkeep repre- 

 sents the largest part of the annual cost of dairy equipment. 



The charge for the use of equipment includes interest at 5 per cent on 

 the average value at the beginning and at the end of the year, cost of equip- 

 ment purchased during the year, repairs on equipment, and decreased 

 value less any increase in value. This cost was apportioned for each farm, 

 to cows, to heifers, and to herd bulls, according to the number of animals 

 and the amount of equipment used by them. The charges are given in 

 table 12: 



