98 
State  Aid  to  Agriculture  in  Canada. 
in  three  Quebec  counties  showed  that  large  numbers  of  cows 
were  being  kept  at  a loss,  and  that  the  average  yield  per  cow 
was  less  than  one-half  of  what  it  was  in  Denmark.  The 
Division  commenced  therefore  the  organisation  of  cow-testing 
associations,  and  though  the  initial  work  has  been  of  an  uphill 
nature  the  progress  has  been  most  encouraging  and  is  leading 
to  almost  a revolution  in  the  methods  of  Canadian  milk 
production.  Each  member  of  an  association  supplies  his  own 
outfit,  consisting  of  a scale  and  a bottle  for  a sample  of  several 
milkings.  The  samples  from  each  cow  are  collected  monthly 
and  tested  for  butter  fat  at  the  expense  of  the  Department,  which 
also  supplies  the  necessary  chemicals  and  the  blank  forms  of 
record.  The  results  are  reported  monthly  to  the  Branch  for 
tabulation  in  permanent  form,  and  copies  are  forwarded  to  each 
member  with  totals  to  date  of  milk  and  fat  for  each  cow. 
Blank  milk  record  forms  are  supplied  free  for  the  use  of 
individual  farmers,  many  of  whom  are  taking  up  the  work 
independently  of  the  associations.  Forms  for  recording  food 
rations  are  also  distributed  so  that  dairymen  may  ascertain 
which  cows  give  the  best  returns  for  the  food  consumed  and 
which  food  is  the  most  profitable.  Strong  recommendations 
are  that  the  records  should  be  made  for  each  cow  during  the 
full  period  of  lactation  and  tor  the  complete  year  in  respect  of 
the  herd  ; also  that  the  milk  should  be  weighed  daily  with 
a view  to  the  immediate  rectification  of  defects  causing  diminu- 
tion of  yield.  Numerous  instances  are  on  record  to  prove 
that  by  judicious  attention  to  details,  by  the  weeding  out  of 
unprofitable  animals,  and  by  the  use  of  better  bulls,  the  milk 
yield  may  be  improved  in  weight  between  20  and  30  per  cent. 
The  number  of  these  associations  in  operation  throughout  the 
Maritime  provinces,  Ontario,  Quebec,  and  British  Columbia,  is 
now  about  160,  representing  11,000  cows. 
The  Extension  of  Markets  Division  supervises  the  Canadian 
export  trade  in  dairying  and  fruit  products  with  a view  to  the 
maintenance  of  the  national  reputation  for  excellence  in  quality 
and  honesty  of  handling,  to  the  opening  up  of  fresh  markets, 
especially  by  experimental  shipments,  and  to  the  observance  of 
due  care  and  promptness  of  despatch  and  delivery  by  the 
transportation  companies.  Cargo  inspectors  stationed  at  the 
Canadian  and  British  ports  maintain  close  touch  with  the 
Branch  at  Ottawa  and  report  grievances  with  a view  to  their 
immediate  redress.  Great  have  been  the  improvements  effected 
during  the  past  ten  years.  Prior  to  that  period  perishable 
products  such  as  butter  and  fruit  lay  exposed  to  heat  and  other 
harmful  conditions  on  the  Montreal  platforms  or  wharves,  and 
similar  delays  in  unpacking  and  in  deliveries  took  place  at  the 
English  ports.  Railway  delays  in  Canada  were  frequent,  and 
