2 BULLETIN 1101, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
at low temperatures Cost of production thus varies somewhat, ac- 
cording to the grade of milk produced, and in view of that fact no 
farms producing either very high or very low grades were included 
in the work. 
The herds and farms were typical of dairy farms in the section 
studied. The figures reported show the relation of the various factors 
involved in producing milk in this section and probably approximate 
the requirements of similar districts, but they do not apply to dairy- 
ing in localities where other conditions and methods of management 
prevail. Here dairying is not the chief industry, for grain growing 
is the most common type of farming. A typical farm of 400 acres 
would have from 100 to 130 acres of wheat, from 60 to 100 acres of 
field corn, and possibly 3 to 8 acres of potatoes. This acreage with 
the wood lot and some waste land leaves only a limited space devoted 
to pasture and to the growing of crops for livestock. 
METHODS USED IN OBTAINING DATA. 
The figures are actual records obtained by regular monthly 24-hour 
visits to 15 farms during the first year, and 16 farms the second year. 
The work was continued for the second year on 13 of the 15 farms 
visited the first year. 
• 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 watch in hand he noted 
and recorded the exact time each operation about the dairy w T as begun 
and ended. He verified the records of feeds that were being fed on 
the inspection day, recording the kind, quantity, cost, and descrip- 
tion of each. The quantity of milk sold each month and the receipts 
therefrom were noted. In addition, the whole milk used by the pro- 
prietor and his help and fed to calves which were being raised was 
measured or weighed and used as a basis for determining the quantity 
kept on the farm during the month. Accurate data on the calves and 
first-hand information on methods of handling manure were also 
collected. 
Each dairyman kept an itemized account of expenses which were 
incurred between the monthly visits, such as the purchase or sale of 
cows and hides, outside bull service, and other miscellaneous infor- 
mation relative to the herd. These items were recorded by the field 
agent. 
When the work about the dairy had been completed for the day 
at the first farm and all information relative to the dairy business 
recorded, the field agent drove to the next farm in time to observe 
the labor operations connected with the evening chores. This pro- 
gram was followed each week, so that each farm under observation 
