1907.] Earnings at Corn Harvest in 1907. 493 



showing the maximum productive capacity of the cow for a 

 brief period of time ; but many farmers look upon them as of 

 little value as evidence of the capacity of the cow for dairy 

 production under ordinary farm conditions. Consequently 

 it was decided in the autumn of 1905 to establish a system 

 of semi-official tests by the Wisconsin Station, open to all 

 dairy farmers and breeders of dairy cattle in the State. 



The tests are conducted for two successive days each month 

 throughout the year, the representative of the Station seeing 

 the cow milked dry at the milking directly preceding the test, 

 the last milking of which must come exactly 48 hours after 

 the preliminary milking. He makes a report on the weight 

 and test of each milking for the two days, while the owner 

 himself furnishes certified statements of the daily milk yields 

 for each month during the year. These records are subject 

 to checking and verification in various ways. On completion 

 of 12 monthly tests, records of the production of milk and butter 

 fat by the cows for the entire year are obtained, and certificates 

 of production issued by the Director of the Station. The 

 breeder is thus furnished with an authenticated record of the 

 production of his cows for one year, which may be accepted 

 by buyers of pure-bred cattle and the general public as, at 

 least, approximately correct. 



According to the returns furnished to the Board of Trade 

 the earnings of farm labourers during the corn harvest of 1907 

 were, on the whole, somewhat higher 



Earnings at Corn than in 1906. The harvest was more 



Harvest in 1907. prolonged this year, and owing to the 

 crops being badly laid by rain in a 

 number of districts, self-binding machines could not be so 

 extensively used as in 1906, and consequently there was 

 generally a greater demand for extra men. Except in a very 

 few instances, however, the supply was quite sufficient, and 

 a number of correspondents state that day labourers were 

 more plentiful than a year ago. 



The following table shows the average cash earnings, exclusive 

 of the value of any food and drink which may have been 

 provided in addition, of men employed on certain farms in 



