ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 271 



given. Where supplementary tables are given to illustrate a 

 certain point they are self-explanatory. An attempt has been 

 made to discuss the care and management of each herd so as to 

 show some of its peculiar problems, and how they have been suc- 

 cessfully or unsuccessfully met. Inasmuch as the feeding of the 

 herd is such an important item in determining success, the 

 amount and composition of the ration is given whenever possible. 

 No accurate record was kept of the amount of food consumed by 

 the various cows on the different farms except in herd ?' where 

 the data was complete enough to justify an approximation. How- 

 ever, the amounts mentioned in the other herds are fairly correct 

 and are inserted to illustrate the numerous ways of attempting 

 to solve the feeding problem. It should be noted that, inasmuch 

 as butter fat is the most varied and at present the most valuable 

 constituent of milk, the herds are ranked upon that basis. The 

 records that follow are to be studied rather than simply read, 

 for they illustrate principles that the man who desires to succeed 

 cannot well afford to ignore. 



Herd No. 1. 



The cows in this herd, at the beginning, were a mixed lot 

 of natives, together with a few grade Jerseys and others of ill- 

 defined parentage. In spite of the fact that they were not an at- 

 tractive herd and were unfortunately housed in a cold, dark 

 stable, all but one produced over fifty dollars worth of butter fat. 

 This return is due in considerable degree to the skill of the owner 

 and feeder, who although he professed to be a novice, was able 

 to supply the needs of his individual cows very successfully. 

 Cows Nos. 6, 7 and 9 were soon removed because of inefficiency. 

 Most of the cows came fresh in the fall or early in winter allow- 

 ing the owner to take advantage of the higher prices for milk at 

 that season. With this arrangement the influence of heat and 

 flies came at a time when many cows were dry. During the win- 

 ter months cows in milk received eight pounds of bran, ten 

 pounds of corn and cob meal, one pound of oil meal, and what 

 they would consume of clover hay and corn stover. Those milk- 



