ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 209 



be carried on nicely with dairying, but I believe generally speak- 

 ing that grain growing or crop production for the market is 

 not well adapted to the dairymen. 



The growing of crops for the market requires a great deal of 

 labor and a great deal of time at certain seasons. It is work 

 which has to be done at certain times or a great loss is sustained. 



The production of beef is also detrimental in that it requires 

 the same food products that are necessary for milk production. 

 Of course, the two lines can be carried on, but will conflict in a 

 short time and by using the same forages. 



Horse rearing is an industry that is rather difficult to carry 

 on with dairying. Where colts are turned in with cows they are 

 sure to cause damage in chasing or kicking the animals. The 

 horses must have attention morning and evening at the same 

 time the cows should. 



It is very often the case that a farmer conducting several 

 lines of farming will slight one or the other by giving a prefer- 

 ence to his pet line. This often results in unprofitable dairy 

 farming and is perhaps at the bottom of the greatest trouble today 

 in profitable farm dairying. 



The dairy cow can not be slighted. If she is, she at once 

 becomes unprofitable or causes a scant profit. The man who 

 gives his best feed to fattening steers or feeding horses, and at 

 the same time is endeavoring to get the highest profit from his 

 herd is finding that dairying does not pay. I really believe tliat 

 such men would find it more profitable to devote all their atten- 

 tion to the line of agriculture they perfer. 



I know of a large herd that produced last year on an 

 average of 175 pounds of butter fat per cow. This herd is now 

 being sold out by the owner on account of scant profit. I am 

 satisfied had the herd been managed as it should have been a 

 250 pound average could easily have been produced. In this day 

 of close competition it is necessary to practice economy in all 

 lines of farming. 



The branches best suited to dairy farming are those which 

 can be conducted without interfering with the regular duties of 



