Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-04-11
Mrs. Priests Paper.
OF BEING A MEMBER OF
A cow TESTING ASSOCIATION.

At recent meeting Of the Waterviiie
ICow-Testing Association, held In tne
congregational church at Winslow, MIS-.
E. r. Priest Of North Vassalboro read q
paper ON the above subject. We give II
herewith in full:
Organizations for testing the indiVid-
ual merits of the dairy cow seem to nave
come about as naturally as the organ'za-
ton of a police force. The country
must have supreme government 70
regulate the relations between man ana
his fellow-men, and authority to MAKE
execute and enforce laws. 1t seems to
me that the farmer must be supreme
power unto himself, and thus carry out
the three great objects OF any govern
ment, whether Of the nation or the farm'
namely: Protection from enemies with
out; establishment of justice within; !;
promotion of the general welfare.
The cow-test association forms the
right arm of the farmers government
because it carries with it elements OF
each of these objects. The enemy who
steals your profits, your progress 10
breeding, your standard of excellence
and your belief in the farm as the pest
home, cannot enter your barn II the in-
dex finger of tester can be placed On
her records in the past. Justice can oe
given every member Of your herd oy
this means.
So many times the case is like that OF
a New Hampshire farmer who kept
herd of IL cows and made the small
profit of Sl95. .S6 one year. Some one
persuaded him to join an association,
and he found that the first six cows in
bis herd paid just 80 cents more than his
best COW! What an injustice be was do
ing that one COW by keeping those six
useless creatures. What protection
was afforded him by this detection OF
the thief.
The third object offers such wonderful
opportunities that my paper cannot men
ton half Cooperation Ia the greatest
stronghold Of any business proposition.
We have already found that to be true,
for by this cooperation we are purchas-
ing our grain, seed and fertilizer at great
ly reduced prices. Associations little
farther advanced are not only purchas-
ing cheaper, but are selling their produce
at far higher prices. This is the step
we should be trying to take. Almost
every member has something he would
like to sell. such as apples, grain, but
ter, hay and potatoes, and 6y selling
direct to larger markets the middlemen's
profits would be returned to the pro-
ducer, to whom they rightfully belong.
With a larger membership, but covering
no more territory, cooperation in breed
ing, very essential factor in improving
the herd, would be possible. 1t is by
these means that Denmark and Holland
have made such rapid strides in the pur-
suit of agriculture.
But the testing association cannot do
it all. 1t may be the farmers right arm,
but it takes mind and body to move
il. You can put your name on the men,
bership list and the tester can come to
your house and show you what your
cows are doing, but you can't raise your
profits by this alone. You have infor.
nation furnished by joining, but you
have profit by using your information.
Make use Of your records, become ac-
qusinted with your cows, attend the
association meetings; and whatsoever
your hand findeth to do for the up
building of your herd aud your associs-
ton, do with all your might. 1t is
surely the greatest educational move
ment of our country to-day and mans
very character may be changed by it.
1t 10 but step from encouragement to
vice and immortality. Opportunity, With
a capital o, is before the farmers to-day,
and it comes in an appealing form. From
inactivity and dissatisfaction, he Is
aroused to enthusiasm and cOntentment.
The farm is beautiful garden If you
have the right utensils for digging
weeds. Just SOW the germ OF this or
gauizstion and leave it undoctored and
you will have such run of the cow-test
disease, that, like scarlet fever patient,
you will come forth with an entirely
new complexion.
What it has done for other countries
and states, it can do for Maine. In Den
mark, the work caused an average in
crease of 1000 pounds of milk per head
in five years, and an average increase OF
43 pounds Of butter per COW for the
same length of time. The states of
Wisconsin and Michigan have made great
advance in dairying, because 1t paid SO
well. Canadian farmers engaged in
making cheese belong to associations be-
cause it pays.
And am more glad than can say,
that we are members of such an associs-
ton and are working with that great
purpose-improvement.