10 DAIRY FARMING 



per cow. To-day the average production appoximates 

 175 pounds per cow. 



There are hundreds of herds scattered over the 

 country that average 300 pounds of butter per cow and 

 many herds exceed even the 400 pound mark. Scores 

 of individual cows could be mentioned that have reached 

 the 600 and 700 pound mark, and the world's champion 

 cow holds the phenomenal record of an even 1,000 pounds 

 of butter in one year. 



Among the factors that have been instrumental in 

 bringing about the remarkable evolution in the milk pro- 

 ducing function of the cow, the following are the most 

 important: (i) selection, or breeding only from the 

 best milkers; (2) liberal and judicious feeding; (3) 

 proper milking; (4) suitable environment, including con- 

 ditions as to housing and sanitation; (5) good care and 

 management. These factors will always continue the 

 most important in the improvement of our modern herds, 

 and will be discussed in the chapters which follow. 



