2 BULLETIN 919, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



panse of low-lying meadows, together with the numerous windmills 

 dotting the landscape, remind an observer of the description of the 

 Holstein breed in its native country. 



At the end of the first year the work was discontinued until Janu- 

 ary, 1919, because of the war. The value of this work to the dairymen 

 cooperating the first year is reflected in the fact that 15 out of the 

 17 continued the work for the second year. Two dairymen sold out, 

 and their places were taken by neighboring dairymen during the 

 second year. The data obtained in this study are actual records of 

 facts obtained by regular monthly full-day visits to 15 farms for two 

 years and four other farms for one year. 



Most of the milk in this section is sold for condensing purposes 

 and is delivered by motor truck to large milk condenseries. None 

 of the dairies selected were conducted as hobbies or as breeding estab- 

 lishments, but were representative of average dairy conditions found 

 in this section. It is the custom to hire milkers, who milk and take 

 care of 25 or 30 cows per man and give their entire time to the herd. 

 The figures reported show the amounts expended in producing milk 

 under the system of dairy management found. 



The dairies were inspected by representatives from the condenseries, 

 and the sanitary conditions were subject to such supervision. The 

 cost of production would have been somewhat different if either 

 higher or lower grades of milk had been produced. 



METHODS USED IN OBTAINING THE DATA. 



The field agent recorded in detail all available information 1 rela- 

 tive to the dairy business, including the amounts and classes of 

 labor, feeds and bedding used, pasture cost, amount of milk sold and 

 used on the farm, and the current expenses for the month. The data 

 on calves and handling of manure were systematically collected. 



By obtaining records on every dairy regularly each month the 

 influence of unusual circumstances at the time of any particular visit 

 was lessened, and by using the records of all the herds for each 

 month average figures could be compiled for each or all of the dairies 

 and representative data for each month, season, and year were thus 

 obtained. Records were obtained the second year as a check on the 

 first year's work and to increase the amount of data available for 

 study. 



At the beginning and end of each year an inventory was taken 

 of the dairy buildings, livestock, and equipment used in the care of 

 the herd and its products. On his regular monthly inspection tour 

 the field agent arrived at the first farm of a group in time to observe 

 the first labor operations connected with the evening chores. With 



1 Copies of the blanks used can be obtained upon request from the Bureau of Animal 

 Industry, Dairy Division, Washington, D. C. x 



