Conventio:n'— the dairy interest. 
137 
tioned subjects, and many others of less importance, liave a notable 
bearing on the profitable pursuit of the dairy enterprise. A thor¬ 
ough investigation of these subjects would be of great advantage 
to all connected with dairy pursuits, but the necessary expense is 
far beyond the reach of private enterprise, or the uncertain method 
of individual subscriptions. 
The present and rapidly increasing importance of this enterprise 
to the people of the state, and the financial advantages certain to ac¬ 
crue, in the tangible form of increased taxable property, wherever 
dairy farming is introduced, is little understood. It requires, in ad¬ 
dition to the property already existing, about 150 cows to every sec¬ 
tion of land, and to every township of thirty-six sections, over 5,000 
cows. These are annually assessed at about $20 per head, aggre¬ 
gating to every such town an increase to the assessment of $100,000. 
This view of the case only has reference to permanent investments, 
Imported Jersey Cow “ Faxny.” 
Property of . M, Beloit, JVis. 
but to this should be added the increased value of the products ob¬ 
tained, as well as the preservation of the fertility of the soil. This 
branch of industry has become of sufficient importance to v/ell de¬ 
serve the attention and encouragement of the legislature of our 
state. It is but manifest justice that they should assume the cost 
of printing the reports of the State Dairymen’s Association, as it 
now does of the Agricultural and Horticultural societies. Our as¬ 
sociation is put to great labor and expense every year, in procuring 
essays and papers from prominent scientific men and practical dai¬ 
rymen, cattle breeders, and successful cultivators of the various 
crops that enter largely into success in dairy farming. The funds 
