panse of low-lying meadows, together Avith the numerous windmills 
dotting the landscape, remind an observer of the description of the 
Holstein breed in its native country. 
At the end of the first year the work was discontinued until Janu- 
ary, 1919, because of the war. The value of this work to the dairymen 
cooperating the first year is reflected in the fact that 15 out of the 
17 continued the work for the second year. Two dairymen sold out, 
and their places were taken by neighboring dairymen during the 
second year. The data obtained in this study are actual records of 
facts obtained by regular monthly full-day visits to 15 farms for two 
years and four other farms for one year. 
Most of the milk in this section is sold for condensing purposes 
and is delivered by motor truck to large milk condenseries. None 
of the dairies selected were conducted as hobbies or as breeding estab- 
lishments, but were representative of average dairy conditions found 
in this section. It is the custom to hire milkers, who milk and take 
care of 25 or 30 cows per man and give their entire time to the herd. 
The figures reported show the amounts expended in producing milk 
under the system of dairy management found. 
The dairies were inspected by representatives from the condenseries, 
and the sanitary conditions were subject to such supervision. The 
cost of production would have been somewhat different if either 
higher or lower grades of milk had been produced. 
METHODS USED IN OBTAINING THE DATA. 
The field agent recorded in detail all available information 1 rela- 
tive to the dairy business, including the amounts and classes of 
labor, feeds and bedding used, pasture cost, amount of milk sold and 
used on the farm, and the current expenses for the month. The data 
on calves and handling of manure were systematically collected. 
By obtaining records on every dairy regularly each month the 
influence of unusual circumstances at the time of any particular visit 
was lessened, and by using the records of all the herds for each 
month average figures could be compiled for each or all of the dairies 
and representative data for each month, season, and year were thus 
obtained. Records were obtained the second year as a check on the 
first year's work and to increase the amount of data available for 
study. 
At the beginning and end of each year an inventory was taken 
of the dairy buildings, livestock, and equipment used in the care of 
the herd and its products. On his regular monthly inspection tour 
the field agent arrived at the first farm of a group in time to observe 
the first labor operations connected with the evening chores. With 
i Copies of the blanks used can be obtained upon request from the Bureau of Animal 
Industry, Dairy Division, Washington, D. C. 
