2 BULLETIN" 923, IT. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The project was located in this section because most of the milk 

 produced was market milk. The milk from the farms was hauled 

 to central receiving stations for shipment to New York City, and 

 the equipment and methods used in the production and handling 

 of the milk were subject to the supervision of sanitary inspectors 

 from the city, who visited the dairies regularly. The figures reported 

 show the relation of the various factors used in producing milk in 

 the section studied and probably approximate the requirements of 

 similar sections, but they do not apply to dairying in sections where 

 other conditions and management prevail. The herds and farms 

 represented typical conditions in the section studied, and the co- 

 operation of members of cow-testing associations was obtained. 



The quantities of feed and labor are expressed in pounds and hours 

 instead of money cost, so that current prices may be applied. 



METHODS USED IN OBTAINING THE DATA. 



The figures are actual records obtained by regular monthly 24- 

 hour visits to 17 farms during the first year 1 and 18 farms during the 

 second year. The record work was continued for the second year on 

 11 of the IT farms visited the first year. 



The field agents of the department recorded in detail all available 

 information relative to the dairy business, including the amounts and 

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

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

 on calves and first-hand information on methods of handling manure 

 were systematically collected. 



By obtaining records 2 on every dairy regularly each month the in- 

 fluence of unusual circumstances at the time of any particular visit 

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

 complete data for each month, season, and year were obtained. Data 

 were obtained for two entire years in order to compare one year with 

 the other in the same section and to increase the amount of data for 

 study. 



At the beginning and end of each year the field agent took an in- 

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

 care of the herd and its products. On his regular monthly inspection 

 tour he arrived at the first farm of a group in time to observe the first 

 labor operations connected with the evening chores. With watch in 

 hand he noted and recorded the minute each labor operation connected 

 with the dairy was begun and ended. The labor operations during 

 the next day were recorded in the same manner. 



1 Howard B. Cannon carried on the field work during the first 6 months, until it was 

 taken over by Ralph P. Hotis. 



2 Copies of the blanks and description of the methods used can be obtained on applica- 

 tion to the Dairy Division, Bureau of Animal Industry. 



