36 



The would-be successful dairy farmer must aim higher than 

 this, however, for no matter how carefully the selection be made, 

 there is almost certain to be included a considerable number of 

 unprofitable cows in a herd got together in this way. The only 

 certain method for determining the real value of a dairy cow is the 

 use of the weigh scale and the Babcock test. Common observation 

 teaches us that different cows produce different amounts of milk and 

 butter fat in the same period of time, but it is practically impossible 

 to estimate within 1,000 Ibs. of what a cow will do in a year by 

 merely watching the amount of milk given each day. One thousand 

 pounds of milk more or less than a certain standard in a year means 

 a fair profit or a serious loss. Hence the importance of knowing what 

 each cow is doing. 



To really know what each cow is doing necessitates the keeping 

 of a record of the amount and quality of the milk produced during 

 the whole lactation period. This record might be, and had better be, 

 made day by day, but valuable information may be secured by weigh- 

 ing and recording the morning's and night's milk of the cow on the 

 1st, the 10th, and the 20th day of each month. The multiplying by 

 ten of the total amount so recorded during the lactation period will 

 give a good idea of what the cow has really been doing. Tests as 

 to the fat content should be made from time to time. 



Blank forms whereon to enter the milk produced' by each cow at 

 each milking are supplied free of charge to all applying for them. 

 They are of the form submitted below, or are large enough to include 

 the milk for 31 days, that is, for any given month. 



In starting out to build up a good dairy herd it is necessary 

 to know exactly every cow in the herd. To know ' about how much ' 

 a cow can do is of very little value. Exact knowledge of the power 

 of each cow as a milk and butter producer is absolutely necessary 

 if the best results are aimed at. 



Many farmers who have been keeping such records for some 

 time report very strongly in favour of this line of work. As soon 

 as the farmer sets to work to know what his cows are doing by 

 keeping a record, he finds himself mu.ch more closely in touch with 

 his business. He sees at once the effect of better care and better 

 feeding. He notes the great difference in returns between the best 

 and the worst cows in his herd and cannot help but determine to get 

 rid of the poor ones and replace them with good ones. Even the 



