ILLNOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 159 



made profitable as the milkman's cow when properly bred and 

 cared for, and for the home dairy she has no equal. The gener- 

 al high average production of butter by the Jersey is one of her 

 proven characteristics, and is not confined to any one strain or 

 family, which naturally follows from the fact of her having been 

 bred for a long series of years for special dairy work. 



When the early breeder of the beef animal ascertained what 

 he wanted, and the form and characteristics most desirable, by 

 faithful work and close, careful breeding, he succeeded in estab- 

 lishing the requisite good qualities. So in the breeding of dairy 

 cattle, by careful selection and applying the churn test and 

 breeding only from the best milk and butter producers, will he 

 be able to make the improvement so much desired. 



The comparatively recent application of a system of testing 

 dairy cows and more careful recording of results must be of 

 incalculable value to the dairy breeds and should receive the 

 approval and encouraging aid of every association of breeders 

 of dairy cattle and all interested in their improvement. The 

 association of breeders of dairy animals of this country is to-day 

 strong and flourishing and every effort made by it in the way 

 of encouraging and promoting both private and official testing 

 is a move in the right direction. These tests should have all 

 the safeguards thrown around them, for their proper verifica- 

 tion, that can safely be adopted and rules and regulations for 

 the conduct of tests carefully prepared, which should include in 

 the report of the test all kinds and quantities of food consumed. 



The good done and the increased interest in the careful 

 handling of the dairy cow and her products, will more than 

 compensate for the outlay of time and money. One of the great 

 requirements in the handling of dairy cattle to-day, is proof of 

 actual performance at the pail and churn. 



Vocal solo, " My Mandolin " — Miss Laura Preston . 



