Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1913-05-08
CIGAR MAKER
GOOD DAIRYMAN
WHAT one MAN HAS DONE IN
THE DAIRY BUSINESS IN WILL
LIAMS COUNTY

visited the dairy farm Of w. A. Palm
er, located just few miles north of
the city, and some things observed
there will certainly be of interest to
every farmer in this sectin, as we'll as
in the state, as to just how one man
in Williams county is making a sue
cess out of the dairy business.
To begin at the beginning would,
perhaps, give better idea of some OF
the things encountered in the business
up to the present time. Eleven years
ago Mr.. Palmer came to this section
and located on piece of land, which
has since been put under the irriga-
ton bitches. For few years he
farmed along the lines of other men
first taking up land here and then
gradually drifted into the dairy bust
ness. In this first venture he had
a number of ordinary cows, such as
usually found in a farming -commun-
ity where little attention has been
paid to live stock. He worked along
with this class of stock and gradually
became discouraged, as the business
did not seem to pay. Two years ago,
it is reported Mr.. Palmer was very
much dissatisfied and wanted to get
rid Of his farm and stock. Then there
came new idea into his work. Last
fall he went east and broug!.. nome
car load of good Holestein cows 20
take the place of the other cows he
had on the farm. Almost instantly
there was great change in the husi-
ness, ard incidentally the revenue #
the farm. Now the owner Of the farm
is very we'll satisfied indeed and it is
doubtful if he could be induced to sell,
because as he stated, he is just now
getting good start and sees some
great possibilities for the dairy bus
ness in this section in the future. He
said that he could now see where he
had lost great deal Of money by not
putting in thoroughbred stock sooner.
On the farm at present there are
fifteen cows, fourteen of which are
Holesteins. The milk produced by
each COW is weighed at each milking
and complete record is kept of this.
On the day that the Graphic reporter
visited the farm the amount of milk
produced by the herd was 80 pounds.
In addition to keeping a record of the
amount of milk, a testing machine is
in use, which shows just exactly which
COW is the most profitable TO the farm
in the production of butter fat. As
soon as the cows have been MIXED
the milk is poured into the separator
and the cream taken out. This cream
is then cooled, bottled, and is soon
ready for the market A large pro-
portion of the milk then goes to a
very healthy looking lot ct Doroc-
Jersey pigs, of which there are nearly
a hundred, including young and old.
The proprietor of the farm states that
he finds ready cash market in Will
liston for everv ounce of c! cam that
his herd produces, and contemplates
adding to the number Of cows just
as fast as he can.
The cows are fed on alfalfa and
mixture of ground feed, their rations
being carefully proportioned There
is enough alfalfa stacked to feed for
another year without raising any
more. An abundance of good water
is provided from a we'll in the barn.
In addition to this herd of fifteen
dairy cows, and thoroughbred sire,
there are ten head of horses, nearly
hundred hogs, chickens, and {, number
Of young calves on the farm.
Equipment
It is interesting to note that this
farm in equipped with just about as
good electric lights as we Rave here
in the city. The electricity is gen
Grated by small dynamo and gaso-
line engine in the creamery building.
This engine is used running the
cream separator, grinding all the
feed, and pumping water for the stock
Every room in the home in supplied
with electric lights and they are also
placed throughout the barn. Con-
on as they may be required for use
in the various parts Of the barn. The
dynamo has a capacity sufficient to
carry about thirty lights, which are
ample for the present buildings. When
the lights are wanted in t., evening
the engine is started and left running