"The returns from cows, when expressed in dollars and cents, stand 

 out much more vividly than they do when expressed in pounds of milk 

 and butter-fat. Therefore, if every dairyman would keep a yearly 

 record of the amount of milk and butter-fat produced by his individual 

 cows, and from this calculate the profit or loss on the individuals, 

 he would be astonished at the wide variation in earning capacity of 

 the different cows in his own herd, and the results would be of untold 

 value to him. When the herds themselves are given like considera- 

 tion, a notable contrast in the variation in earning capacity of the 

 herds is brought out." 



The cows in one herd lacked $7.48 each of paying for their feed and 

 care, while each cow in another herd made a profit of $42.77, making 

 a difference in income of over $50 per cow between the two herds. 

 The best cow in a good herd brought in $69.70 profit, while the poorest 

 cow in the poor herd was kept a loss of $27.52, making a difference 

 in the earning power of the two cows of nearly $100 annually." 



Selecting a Herd 



The herd should be choosen strictly from a business standpoint, or 

 in other words, the farmer should select a breed of cows adapted to 

 the line of dairying he expects to engage in. One breed is especially 

 adapted to butter, the milk containing a high per cent of butter-fat 

 and having the natural color of butter. Another is desirable for the 

 quantity of milk, but contains less butter-fat, while another breed is 

 for general purposes, that is, both milk and beef. As a safeguard 

 against contaminating the herd, every cow bought should be tested 

 for tuberculosis and the entire herd should be tested at least once 

 each year. 



Care of the Cow and Dairy Buildings 



While breeding and feeding are essential features, care of the dairy 

 cow is of no less importance. The dairy barn should be roomy, well 

 lighted and thoroughly ventilated. Good health is maintained by 

 furnishing the right kind of food, pure water and an abundance of 

 pure air. If the dairy cow is compelled to breathe dead air, she will 

 sooner or later contract tuberculosis. 



A system of ventilation constructed on scientific principles is inex- 

 pensive and a safeguard against disease. Sunlight is a germ destroyer 

 and a great purifier, hence, the cow barn should be so constructed 

 that sunlight can enter all parts of the barn some time during the day. 

 The barn should be kept clean and gypsum or phosphate rock sprinkled 

 in the stalls and manure gutter after the droppings have been removed. 

 An abundance of pure water should be accessible at all times. 





