10 



THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



BOYS AND GIRLS' FARM CLUBS GROW 



THERE has been an increase of more than 41,000 

 in the membership of various boys' and girls' 

 agricultural clubs conducted by the State Agricul- 

 tural Colleges and the Department of Agriculture in 

 the northern and western states. At the close of 

 the fiscal year ending June 30, 1914, there were 1 10,- 

 077 members in the various club projects in the 33 

 states covered by this work. At the close of the 

 present fiscal year, June 30, 1915, the membership 

 was 151,194, exclusive of the enrollment in the 

 mother-daughter canning clubs. 



This work is being carried on co-operatively in 

 26 of the 33 states in the northern, central and west- 

 ern territory by the Department of Agriculture and 

 the extension departments of the state colleges of 

 agriculture. In practically every state short courses 

 for boys and girls and special demonstration schools 

 have been held at the colleges and in the field. 



During the past year 1,557 club members at- 

 tended the mid-winter courses at the colleges, 968 

 of these having their expenses paid by local con- 

 tributions as a recognition of their achievements in 

 club work. Of the 38 club members who, as cham- 

 pions in their states, districts, or counties for 1914, 

 have become recognized at National All-Star Club 

 members, 31 are now attending high schools, agri- 

 cultural or other colleges ; 3 of the remaining 7 have 



already graduated from high school, and one will go 

 to an agricultural college this fall. 



Experience has shown that the work in the 

 boys' and girls' clubs can be carried on with even 

 greater success without the aid of large cash prizes 

 and awards. The net profits from the work itself 

 have been found to be the best possible incentive. 

 The members have their attention directed to prob- 

 lems of farm and home management, crop rotation 

 and soil building, and in practically every state in 

 which the work is being carried on a large number 

 of club members are now working out three and 

 four-year rotations of crops. The profits which they 

 derive from club work they are spending on getting 

 an education, or for purchase of pure bred stock 

 and labor-saving machinery. Many are even buying 

 land and thus acquiring an invaluable sense of dig- 

 nity and independence. 



In the canning work, 938 public demonstrations 

 were held during the year, with a total attendance 

 of 118,367. These demonstrations were held pri- 

 marily for the club members, but parents were al- 

 ways invited and, as a matter of fact, more than half 

 of those present were grown men and women. One 

 of the great advantages of this club work, indeed, is 

 the fact that it serves to stimulate the parents as 

 well as the children. 



HERE IS SOME DANISH "COW SENSE" 



DAIRYING is a many-sided and complex branch 

 of agriculture, yet the principles of good milk 

 production can be set forth in a small space. In Den- 

 mark, where dairying is the principal occupation, 

 these principles have been so set forth by the Royal 

 Danish Co-Operative Society, one of the most won- 

 derful associations in the world. 



Agricultural co-operation is at its height in Den- 

 mark, and the central society exerts large influence 

 over the major farming operations of the whole 

 country. Especially in dairying is co-operation a 

 force in Denmark and the country co-operative 

 creameries have been studied and imitated by men 

 in many other lands. The co-operative society in- 

 sists that farmers and farm hands on dairy farms 5. 

 shall learn the following rules : 



1. The cow is a living machine. 



(a) Kindly treatment entails less labor and 

 gives more milk. 



2. Good work improves the living machine. 



(a) Milk clean. Clean milking develops the 6. 

 udder and increases the quantity of milk. 



(b) Remember that the milk last drawn is by 



far the most valuable. 7. 



3. Cleanly milking. 



(a) You should wear tidy and clean clothes. 



(b) Have the milk pail clean, as well as the 

 creamery can. 



(c) Thoroughly clean the udder by rubbing 

 with a piece of linen. 



(d) Wash the hands thoroughly before milk- 

 ing. 



(e) Let the udder be quite dry before you 

 begin milking. 



Carry out the work properly. 



(a) Milk with dry hands. 



(b) Seize the teats with the whole hand. 



(c) Keep a gentle pressure on the udder. 



(d) Milk as fast as you can and never cease 

 working until the milk is wholly drawn. 



(e) Don't strain the teat beyond its natural 

 length. 



(f) Remember the value of the last drops. 

 Healthy state of the udder. 



(a) If there be soreness or lumps in the udder 

 or teats, stoppage in the milk canal, or 

 unnaturally colored milk, don't mix the 

 milk with any other, and don't send to the 

 creamery. 



Milking times. 



(a) Begin milking always at fixed times. 



(b) Milk the same cows in the same order. 

 Regard this excellent work as one of honor. 

 Then there follow three general directions: 



1. Clean the cows. 



2. Have good air in the stalls. 



3. Light should be admitted freely. 



