Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-12-08

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of cows anywhere
cannot be increased only at about a
certain ratio each year. Those who keep
cows for dairy purposes keep small
herds as rule, and until successful
milking machine has been produced
and comes into general use this condi-
ton will likely continue. OF course
there are some large diaries in this
country where cows are kept by the
hundreds, but such herds are rather
rare exceptions, and good proportion
of them are kept by milkmen not far
from large cities. These herds are kept
up by purchase, and the owners of them
can be more properly called pilkmen
than dairymen. They are not dairymen
In the true sense. They do not raise
their herds nor the crops on which they
are fed, but depend mainly on purchase
of feed used Most of these herds are
managed very successfully, and by
men who give the business intelligent
attention. There is little danger OF the
milk business. as 1t relates to large
cities, being overdone. But II at any
time it should be, those in it on large
scale near cities can get out or 1t very
easily by disposing of their herds.
Those who are distant from the cities
who have been furnishing milk for
milk routes, can easily change to some
other branch of the business. such as
butter or cheese making. The real
question whether dairying is overdone,
or likely to be overdone, applies to
those dairymen who have for years
been growing up herds for dairy cows,
and to all farmers who keep a few
cows, and who can each year. II they
choose to do so, increase them up to the
capacities of their farms, which capaci-
ties will be constantly increasing IL
the right system of dairying is correct
ly conducted One great thing in favor
of dairying is that the real profit con-
sists in not seeing how many cows
farm will keep, as much as in seeing
how much can be produced from each
cow. These dairymen who practice the
best methods and get the best results
cannot be driven out Of the business
by an occasional depression of prices.
The man who makes his small herd of,
say six to twelve cows, produce as much
butter or cheese as his neighbor who
keeps nearly double that number, will
not say anything about dairying being
overdone, because his products cost him
less, and as result he gets more for
them pound for pound than the dairy
man who Is keeping double the number
of cows. The result will be that the
man who does not succeed in dairying
will go out of the business; either that
or improve his methods. In addition
to our home markets we have good
markets abroad, provided we furnish
good dairy products. However, our
home markets can be greatly enlarged
by the same means, and the additional
means of producing greater variety
Of dairy products. This last reference
is mainly to the different variety Of
cheese that can be produced, and such
varieties as will create a greater de-
mand for cheese among American peo-
ple. Doubtless the dairy interest has
suffered more from bogus dairy prod
ucts than from any production Of
genuine goods. But it is safe to say
that there has been great change in
public opinion in regard to curtailing
the output of bogus goods to be sold
as genuine. No objection Is made to
the manufacture of oleomargarine and
butterine II they are sold for what they
are, but the presumption is that in a
large per cent of cases persons who buy
them for consumption buy them for
genuine products. This is not right
and should be stopped, and in great
measure Will be. Taking everything
into consideration. we think 1t is safe
to conclude. as stated in the first sem
tence of this article, that good dairying
is not overdone. and further. that it Is
in no immediate danger of being over
done. Like all other branches of agri-
culture, 1t will have its seasons of de-
preston. but as a rule less frequent
than in most other lines of farm prod
sets.