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Show F LEAVES' horn y Some Facts About Dairy Farming The question of whether or not to turn his farm into a dairy farm is one which many a farmer finds it difficult to answer. Actually, it is largely a question of the temperament tempera-ment of the individual farmer since not all men are suited to dairying as an occupation and of the suitability suita-bility of any particular farm to the requirements of dairy-stock management. manage-ment. PROS AND CONS OF THE PROBLEM Among the features which dairy farming as a business has to commend com-mend it are: 1. It is a year-around business and furnishes a steady labor market at all seasons; 2. Cash receipts are regular and frequent, providing for current expenses, ex-penses, and for financing farm operations, op-erations, as well as for systematic savings; 3. A good dairy herd provides a home market for hay, grain, silage, root crops and soiling crops; 4. The manure from the herd may be used to maintain the fertility of the fields. On the other side of the ledger, however, should be entered these facts: 1. Dairying is a 365-day-a-year occupation. It allows for no holidays holi-days and no vacations, except for such rare times as those in which the dairyman can find a competent person to carry on in his absence; 2. Dairying and crop raising conflict, con-flict, during the summer months, and since neither can be neglected, the result is quite sure to be long hours of heavy labor for the dairyman; dairy-man; 3. Dairying is such an exacting occupation that the man who would find success and satisfaction in it must be strong, industrious, and not easily discouraged;, he must have, moreover, a definite liking for dairy stock. OTHER POINTS TO CONSIDER It is necessary, for the success of dairying, that there be a good and steady market available. The principal prin-cipal markets are, wholesale and retail re-tail market milk, creameries, cheese factories and condenseries. In some localities, too, ice-cream factories may furnish a limited market for whole milk and sweet cream. Authorities agree that retail milk routes and city milk-distributing plants to which market milk is sold wholesale, usually furnish the best-paying best-paying markets The prospective dairyman must also consider the adaptability of his land to the requirements " of dairy stock. A dairy farm must be fertile; fer-tile; it must be large enough to allow al-low for the production of feed and cash crops; it must be located in convenient nearness to a dairy market; mar-ket; and it must have a plentiful supply of pure water. CHOOSING THE FOUNDATION HERD There are, in the United States, a number of highly satisfactory dairy breeds. The farmer should choose the one which he likes or knows best, with due consideration given to the breed which is predominant in his locality. It is strongly recommended recommend-ed that the beginner start with grade stock. The best practice is, usually, to choose young, healthy grade cows of good conformation and producing ability. If it seems advisable, purebred pure-bred stock may be purchased later, as finances permit. It must be kept in mind, however, that as the initial cost of pure-breds is higher than that of grades, so the risk is greater, and management wiD require correspondingly cor-respondingly greater knowledge and skill. By all odds, good grade stock is best for the beginner. The most important member of the herd is the bull. He should, of course, be registered. regis-tered. He should be well-grown and vigorous and should have an established estab-lished record as a sire of high-producing high-producing daughters. The best bull to buy is a mature bull, of proved ability. LABOR REQUIREMENTS IN DAIRYING Co-operative records kept by the U. S. department of agriculture and the University of Wisconsin indicate that man labor averages 171 hours per cow, per year, such labor including in-cluding milking, feeding, caring for utensils, and cleaning the barns. It did not include hauling the manure, delivery of milk or caring for young stock. However,- the amount of labor la-bor required for a dairy herd will vary greatly according to equipment, equip-ment, management, climate. For further information, send five cents to Superintendent of Documents. Washington, D. C, asking for Farmers' Bulletin No. 1610. LOGS FOR FARM STRUCTURES If properly constructed, log buildings build-ings are both attractive and serviceable. serv-iceable. Where a new home is being be-ing made in regions where timber is plentiful, logs cut in the process of clearing may well be utilized. GOAT MILK FOR INFANTS It is said that in England and in many parts of Europe, people who go to the country for the summer months, or otherwise indulge in travel trav-el with their families, take a milk goat with them to provide fresh milk for the children of the family. THE GREAT DANE. In their native land, the Great Danes were originally used for hunting hunt-ing large game, especially the wild boar. From this fact, one knows that they have weight, strength and courage. The harlequins of this breed, showing irregular black patches on a pure white ground, are very handsome, as are also the brin-dles. brin-dles. These latter dogs may show ground color any where from pale yellow to golden tan and must have distinct black stripes. The average Great Dane male stands 30 to 36 inches at the shoulder. |