THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION 11 



a specific education as the farmer. This knowledge must be 

 gained by experience from men that have made this subject a 

 study. He must read the best literature in every Farmers' 

 Institute Meeting. He should attend every dairy meeting with- 

 in his range. By so doing he will enlighten himself upon the 

 condition that must be applied in his own vocation. 



I shall not attempt to dilate upon the condition of the 

 Dairymen, for you have men here that have made this a study 

 and are teachers in their line. I might mention some of the 

 thoughts that come to my mind, things that every farmer should 

 know. In the production of milk there are many factors which 

 are of prime and economic importance. 



First — Cows must be secured which are capable of produc- 

 ing large quantities of milk. 



Second — These cows must be properly housed and cared 

 for. 



Third — There must be a feeder who has good judgment. 



Fourth — Only food of the proper quality must be applied. 



The last is equal in importance to the first. The best way 

 to obtain cows is by careful selection and breeding of animals 

 from one of the recognized dairy breeds or other grades. 

 Scrubs, of course, have no place in profitable milk products. On 

 the other hand, no matter how carefully cows are selected, or 

 how well kept, if poorly fed they will give little better returns 

 than the scrubs to the farmer. A good feeder requires the 

 knowledge of the needs of the dairy cow and of the needs of 

 the different food. This means that the man who is to become 

 a successful feeder must be willing to spend time and energy 

 in studying the details of this subject. 



The cow is a business partner, not easily defrauded if she 

 is the right kind of cow. Supplied with proper material, she will 

 return a just amount of product, and then if proper feed and 

 care are withheld she will withhold the desired product. Food 

 of the right kind and amount is absolutely necessary to any con- 

 sirable degree of production. 



It is better to keep a few cows fed heavily and sheltered 

 warmly, than many cows only half fed and wintered in the cold 



