ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 291 



farming operations. He appreciated the call of the local pas- 

 teurizing plant for milk, and in the absence of well bred dairy 

 cows was forced to use such as were available. Most of them 

 were grade Shorthorns, lacking in dairy form. The best 

 cow produced 298.57 pounds of butter fat, while the poorest rec- 

 ord was only 135.29 pounds. Of the thirteen cows in the origin- 

 al herd six produced from 204 to 298 pounds of butter fat while 

 six others yielded from 135 to 197 pounds butter fat in the year. 

 The average production of the herd was low, yet because of the 

 cheapness of the food it doubtless proved profitable to the owner. 

 This is an illustration of the futility of trying to obtain liberal 

 milk or butter fat production from cows disposed to use their 

 food for other purposes. They were, in the generalacceptance of 

 the term, dual purpose cows. The very nature of their breeding 

 prevented them from converting the rations into dairy products 

 as economically as might well have been desired. It should be 

 said that the owner did not approve of using such animals for 

 dairy purposes, but at the time he was unable to do better. The 

 dual purpose enthusiast if he will compare these cows with many 

 of those found in the herds 3, 6, or 24, may perhaps see why it 

 is that the special purpose dairy cow is essential to the best in- 

 terests of a dairyman. 



A serious mistake was made by the owner in using a grade 

 Shorthorn bull closely related to several members of the herd. 

 This was done in order that the calves might be better for veal, a 

 practice which incurred a great loss if the owner intends to fol- 

 low the business. By the continued use of a pure-bred dairy sire 

 in a herd of this kind it is possible to produce animals of high 

 ability. Obviously this opportunity was overlooked . 



