112 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



minimum outlay of capital, the best plan is to begin with the 

 best cows that can be purchased in the locality ; the herd bull 

 should be selected with great care, and the poorer cows dis- 

 posed of as soon as discovered, and replaced with heifers from 

 the best cows. Within a few years a good herd is on hand 

 with a small investment, and the owner has gained experience 

 as the herd develops that will enable him to handle a high-pro- 

 ducing herd when he has one. A man who has had no experi- 

 ence with cows, or whose experience has been limited to beef 

 cattle or ordinary cattle of low dairy quality, is almost certain 

 to make a failure, if placed at once in charge of a herd of dairy 

 cows of high milk-producing capacity. A combination of the 

 two plans is also very good. That is to buy most of the herd 

 of such common cows as have indications of milking qualities, 

 and to include a few choice cows and save their offspring most 

 carefully. 



The two things to be most emphasized in building up the 

 herd are the selection of the herd bull and the elimination of 

 unprofitable cows by keeping records of production by each 

 individual. 



A few with special liking and adaptation for cattle breed- 

 ing can make a good success breeding registered dairy cattle 

 for the purpose of selling the surplus as breeders. Unless one 

 has plenty of financial backing, the sale of breeding stock 

 had better be made secondary to the sale of dairy products. 

 To carry on a high-class herd of registered dairy cattle that will 

 produce offspring salable at good prices for breeding purposes 

 requires unusual judgment in the selection of breeding animals 

 and the keeping of records of milk and fat production. In 

 addition, business ability of a high order is necessary to make 

 a marked success along this line. 



