Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-04-29
Report Of Police Department.
FOR BETTER DAIRYING.

State Commissioner of Agriculture q.
l.. Martin has recently issued bulletin
called the "CoW Testing Association
Number" which ought to be read by
every owner of a dairy in Vermont. He
answers the question, what is Cow
Testing AssociHtion?' as follows.
a COW testing association is simply
am association of dairymcn formed for
the purpose Of learning the dairy abilities
of their several COWS. 1t is "A method
whereby, through the employment Of an
expert who travels from farm to farm,
this work is done for the various mem
hers accurately, cheaply, easily. The
proposition is one OF Danish inception
1t is said that the scheme originated
with a woman, whose husband was trying
to improve his herd by careful selection,
by weighing the milk of each COW, test
ing ii for its fat content. and keeping
careful record. She conceived the idea
that their neighbors might cooperate in
hiring a man 10 do this work, which
could then be carried on in greater de-
tail, with less expense, and perhaps with
more accuracy than by the individual
farmer. a community meeting was held,
the plan outlined and the first association
formed in 1895.
The COW testing association has had
vogue on this continent for about six
years, and such organizations are now
UtlHE lOTllleO III many udlTN sections.
There are five or more in Maine, a few
in New York and Pennsylvania. many
in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio
and other states. There are proba bly,
more in Wisconsin than in any other
one state. Some 90 or more were recent
ly at work in the Provinces OF Quebec
and Ontario. The plan is a practicable
one, it is inexpensive, it affords reason
ably accurate data, 1t possesses educa-
tional features, and il pays All this
has been demonstrated beyond the pos
! shility OF doubt"
The reports from the associations in
| Vermont are OF a widely varying charac-
| ter. In one association one COW in four
was kept at essentially no profit, or at a
| loss, while in another one COW in every
| four made more than S25 profit.
This work has only fairly been begun
| in this state and there is little money
available for state aid. In Maine a con-
| siderable state appropriation is provided
! and state dairy instructor attends
every dairy test association meeting
| a Maine bulletin issued tells what the
| members have learned from the Cow
Test association work in that state.
The sentences printed below are said
to be accurate quotations from remarks
| made by members of the different asso-
| during the past year and tersely express
| the appreciation these men feel for the
Cow Test association.
Il have learned the value OF definite
knowledge concerning ones business.
Il have learned the value OF method
! in conducting a dairy business.
II have learned that cows vary in pro-
duction OF milk and milk fat
Il have learned that protein is food
requirements.
Il have learned that the cost to pro-
duce pound of milk fat varies widely
with different cows.
Il have learned that the consuming
capacity OF a COW often exceeds her pro.
ducing capacity.
Il have learned something OF the par
the food nutrients play in the economy
of animal life and milk production.
II have learned much concerning Aeth
DDS OF feeding.
Il have learned the analysis OF fec
stuffs.
II have learned that cows vary in be
ing sometimes fed in excess.
IT have learned to have a genuine
pride in good dairy COWS.
Il have learned the importance o
breeding.
81 have learned that breeding opera
tions should be carried on with intelli
gence.
II have learned that fads have n
rightful place in the breeding of dair
animals"
Commissioner Martin well SAYS tina
fifty Of these associations should be form
ed in Vermont, In this manner a dairy
man may know accurately whether hi
. herd is composed of the best possibl
cows or whether he is keeping some ami
mails that are far from profitable
The development of this idea mean
much for the dairy industry Of Vermont
Montpelier Journa