SMALL HOLDINGS 147 



small holder should possess in order to 

 ascertain the quality of the milk as de- 

 noted by its percentage of fat. To submit 

 samples to an analyst is to cause con- 

 siderable delay, and we are not prepared 

 to advise those who desire to do the very 

 best for themselves to adopt any less 

 thorough course. 



If we assume that an average cow yields 

 500 gallons of milk in a year, it follows that a 

 cow which yields 600 gallons will earn £3 to 

 £4 more, and that her value is in consequence 

 at least two or three pounds in excess; nor 

 should this money be grudged by the buyer 

 because it happens to be slightly above 

 the market price for average cows. He should 

 recognise that market price is precisely what 

 the seller is able to obtain, and that the quota- 

 tions which appear from week to week are 

 in this sense misleading. If a 600 gallon cow 

 is worth two or three pounds more than a 

 500 gallon cow, it follows that one yielding 

 700 is worth still more, and the higher 

 the yield the greater the proportionate value. 

 A word of caution, however, is necessary. 

 Because a cow is yielding 500 gallons of milk 

 at the time she is purchased, it does not follow 

 that she will of necessity continue to milk 



