114 ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



crosses, better than the Short Horn crosses to pick up. Foi 

 distinct dairy purposes I would not recommend them. I hav( 

 changed from Red Poll sire to Holstein and Jersey, one of each 

 They are a farmer's cow that belong a little farther west, not or 

 these high price lands. 



BUSINESS END OF DAIRY FARMING. 



By J. P. Mason, Elgin, III. 



Ladies and Gentlemen : 



During the last year or two I have met a good mars} 

 farmers who live in a locality where dairy farming is not 

 practiced, and where land is selling for $100 to $150 per acre, 

 And I have always put the question to them, whether with their 

 system of farming it would pay one year with another all the 

 expenses of the farm, including all labor performed on the 

 farm, interest on capital invested, and still leave a profit. 



The answer has been invariably, no ! If this is so, how 



is the man with limited means, or the young man who wishes 

 to engage in agriculture going to buy and pay for a farm. 



It must be one of two things, either the system of farming 

 is not the best or the land is selling for more than it is worth. 

 Why should not the farm be run just the same as any business 

 venture? Not just for the simple means of making a living, 

 but as. a business for making money. And why should not the 

 farmer be paid for his labor just the same as the commercial 

 man or manufacturer. 



I do not know of any line of farming that is less speculative, 

 safe and sure for the average farmer, one year with another, 

 equal to dairy farming. We have found that our cows are our 

 best customers for the products of the farm, paying us the 

 highest market price for the same. With our unlimited whole- 

 sale market for milk, prices do not fluctuate like thev do 



