Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1893-08-31
COW TESTS AT FAIRS.
The Ohio Idea That Has Evolved Itself
on This Subject.


on This Subject.
l.. N. Bonham, secretary of the Ohio
state board of agriculture, writes:
Two objections seem to hold against
the common method of testing COWS at
fairs. First, that under the excitement
of removal from customary quarters
and from change Of feed and surround
ings the flow of milk is not normal and
the test made under these unfavorable
conditions does not show the real ca
pacity of the COW as milk producer.
Second, that comparatively few cows
are in full flow of milk at the time of
holding the fair. To obviate these OBJ
jections and to secure tests and records
which will be of permanent value in es-
ti1nating the greatest worth of the sew
eral breeds us milk producers. and to
show the relative cost of production of
milk, the OHIO state board Of agriculture
has invited the director of the Ohio ex-
pertinent station to unite with it in car
rying out the following plan for milk
test:
First-Any owner desiring TO enter COW
for test shall notify the secretary of tue fact
and shall accompany his request with per
cent. of the first premium for each animal en-
tered and for each class in which he enters,
except for the sweepstakes medal.
Second-Only animals entered in both the
cash prize classes are eligible to enter for the
sweepstakes medal.
Third-ln addition to the S per cent. entrance
fee the sum of five dollars must also accom-
pany the entries made by each person, which
sum Is TO pay the travelling expenses from Co
lumbus and return of the person appointed by
the state board of agriculture to make the
test. The test will be made within one week,
after the entries have been received.
Fourth-The test to be limited to COWS in
Ohio and registered in their appropriate rec
ords. Each entry will be entitled to two
trials if desired by the owner. he to pay each
time the five dollars for travelling expenses Of
the tester. but no per diem, and the highest of
the two tests to be taken as the basis of the
award
fifth-Entries and tests may be made at any
time prior to Sept. !. ls!2, but all COWS entered
for the test must be exhibited al the Ohio
state fair OF ls!2. when the awards will be made.
Noaward will be made to any owner whose COW
is not present during the fair unless in the
meantime the COW has died.
sixth Change of ownership of COW not to
effect the award, provided all other conditions
are complied with.
Seventh Tests will be made. so far as prac-
ncaOie. b! the same tester selected from the
employees OF the Ohio agricultural expert
ment station. who Will seal the sample of milk
as soon as drawn and deliver the same to the
chemist OF the station. together with the name,
age and breed of the COW and the name and
postoilice address OF the owner. The chemist
will make The analysis. keep record of the
same and prepare report to appear in the re-
ports of both the station and the state board
of agriculture.
Eighth Cows entered for the test may be
fed al the discretion of the owner, but he shall
tile with the secretary of the state board of
agriculture before the result of analysis will
be made known an affidavit that during tho
test and for two weeks prior thereto no drugs
nor condiments were fed nor anything but
water given to drink.
l'rizcs-For largest yield of fat from twen-
ty-four hours milk. taken at O'Clock a. m
and O'Clock p. m of same day and determined
by chemical analysis of samples taken by the
tester from the experiment station, the COW
having been MIXED out clean by the tester the
evening before the test. first prize. 500: second
prize, $50.
For largest yield of solids, not including fat,
first prize, $50; second prize. So5.
3 To the COW showing the most milk, most fat
and most solids. sweepstakes prize, silver
medal, in addition to any other prize or prizes
she may have taken.