DUAL-PURPOSE CATTLE 89 



represented by one extreme is that if a cow is to be milked 

 at all, she must be of a special dairy breed, and that no such 

 thing can exist as a profitable milk and beef producer com- 

 bined. The other extreme holds to the view that the average 

 farmer, who produces the largest bulk of the dairy products 

 of the country, can make the best use of a cow that will 

 produce a fair amount of milk and at the same time raise a 

 calf which will be salable for beef purposes. 



The question can best be considered by eliminating the 

 points upon which there is practically no difference of 

 opinion and concentrating attention upon the points where 

 there is a chance for difference of opinion. 



(1) It is generally admitted by all that cows of the special 

 dairy breeds will, on the average, produce milk and butter 

 cheaper than those of dual-purpose type, and that the special 

 beef breeds excel the dual-purpose in beef production. 



(2) The man who intends making dairying his chief busi- 

 ness, with everything else of secondary order, should make 

 use of the special dairy cow, and the man who produces beef 

 animals and does not milk the cows should make use of the 

 special beef breeds. 



(3) The highest development of both milk and beef pro- 

 duction- cannot be combined in the same animal. 



This leaves the general farmer for whom the dual-purpose 

 cow is adapted, if for anybody. This large class of farmers, 

 especially in the Central States, sells a number of things from 

 the farm, among which milk or cream occupies a more or 

 less important position. 



The main question regarding the dual-purpose cow is 

 whether this type is better adapted for this type of farmer 

 than the special dairy breed. If a farmer of this class, who 



