206 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



in 1907. The work is still in progress and the data presented in 

 this publication are in the form of a preliminary report, taking* 

 all records completed up to the end of 191 5. Many of the 

 daughters of the scrub cows are not mature and heifers carrying 

 75% of the blood of a recognized dairy breed have not as yet 

 gone through a lactation period. 



Stated in detail the objects of this work were agreed upon 

 as follows: 



1. To determine the effects of improved feeding and care 

 and whether or not there would be an increase in production in 

 the second and succeeding years due to the residual and con- 

 tinued effects of improved feeding and the development of the 

 digestive and mammary systems. 



2. To compare the records of heifers sired by a scrub bull 

 with the records of their dams. 



3. To determine the influence of purebred dairy sires on 

 the production of milk and butterfat. 



4. To compare scrub with grade calves in rate of growth 

 and digestive powers. 



Animals Used 



In the summer of 1907 Prof. H. G. Van Pelt purchased in 

 an isolated region of Arkansas seven cows, four yearling heifers, 

 two heifer calves and a young bull. These animals were inferior 

 individuals, being rather small, of very limited abdominal, udder 

 and vein capacity, and very unprepossessing so far as quality 

 and top lines were concerned. So far as could be learned no 

 purebred bulls had ever been used in that section of the state up 

 to the time of purchase. The environment was not such as 

 would stimulate heavy milk production as the cattle received 

 little if any grain or concentrates, being forced to live on the 

 rather scanty supply of grass and hay available. 



No attention had been paid to the amount or quality of milk 

 produced or to the length of lactation periods. The principal 

 duty of the cows had been to produce enough milk for family 

 use and to raise their calves. 



The cattle reached Ames early in December, 1907, and were 

 in very thin flesh. The accompanying photographs are more 

 expressive than words in giving a true impression of the condi- 

 tion of the cattle at the time of reaching the college farm. 



