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DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



milking cows so important a farm factor. The money derived through the 

 sale of dairy products comes from the farm roughage, much of which has 

 no cash value except through the cows, and which the cow must have, even 

 though she be not milked. It is the $35 or $40 a month cash income from 

 the dairy, that will permit the money from the sale of hogs, calves and 

 grain to be applied in a lump sum where it will do the most good — either on 

 the mortgage, the erection of a barn or dwelling, or in the purchase of more 

 land. 



The milking of cows providing the necessary cash income to take care 

 of the daily needs, is the starting point for the man who would increase his 

 herd. It must be kept in mind that milking cows does not preclude the 

 fattening of the usual number of hogs or the growing of the usual acreage 

 of other crops. The milking is only an added chore — and permit me to re- 

 mind you that the chores of the farm are what make the most money. If 

 you will make a canvass of your neighbors and find those who have the most 

 hog, calf, horse, mule and poultry choring to do, you will have found the 

 men who are making the most money and getting along the best. One hour 

 spent night and morning in milking, during the crop-growing season, will 

 pay better than the same hour spent in the field — except, possibly, during 

 the harvest season. The crop-growing season is comparatively short, and 

 it is during that time between harvesting in the fall and planting in the 

 spring that we need the chores most, and it is during that time that dairy- 

 ing, with all the other chores that go with it, can be followed to the best 

 advantage. 



Livestock-farming gives from 12 to 48 percent larger income per acre 

 than grain-farming — the higher percentage existing in localities where the 

 most cows are milked. The feed for cows and calves grows when grain 

 fails. The grain crop will make an abundance of good cow and calf feed 

 when it absolutely fails to make market grain. To keep cows and calves as 

 a sure and profitable market for the crops produced by the summer's labor, 

 is a justifiable excuse for keeping and depending upon cows and calves for a 

 market for this roughage and which roughage, in fact, is a byproduct of the 

 grainfield. I do not deem essential argument purporting to show the greater 

 profit at which grain can be fed to milk cows and young cattle as compared 

 with selling it at the elevator. It is sufficient to state that probably 75 

 percent of the total grain marketed is bought by someone who feeds it at 

 a profit to *a steer, cow, or hog which he probably also bought, and to the 

 cost of both he added freight and the profit of a middleman or two. Tell me, 

 if you please, who can feed cows or calves or steers or pigs at a greater 

 profit than the man who grows both the feed and the animal. 



There is a wide range in the value of individual cows for milk produc- 

 tion. In nearly every farm herd there are cows which are superior produc- 

 ing animals and in fact good dairy cows. I refer especially to herds made 

 up of our common red and white farm cattle and which may be considered 

 for the most part of Shorthorn foundation. Such class are found on most 

 farms of today. These, as a matter of fact, are about half way between 

 the best and poorest of beef animals, but the best milkers of these herds 



