The Monticellonian., 1915-05-20

The advantages of dairy farming are effectively pointed out in circular prepared by O. E. Reed. professor of Agricultural college. He shows the results of dairy farming in the coun. tries in which it has been extensively practieed and points out the reasons for the success Of the system. He also treats the various breeds of cattle, the selection of dairy animals. the keep ing of records, the care of the cattle and the Babcock test.
 "A farm used for dairy purposes" writes Mir Reed. does not need to lose in fertility. but can gain. and may be used for dairying almost indefi- nitely. On well-managed dairy farm practically all the feed grown is mar keted through the cow Concentrated protein feeding stuffs, such as bran and oil meal, are usually purchased to balance the ration These feeds contain a high percentage Of fertiliz- ing ingredients, and the manure from the cows consuming such feeds is very rich in plant food
 The first method of farming prac- tieed in newly settled country is grain farming This is continued until the land becomes high priced and the fertility of the soil is decreased when dairying usually comes into practice In grain farming the land is cropped year after year. and these crops are sold off the land In live stock or dairy farming the crops are harvested and fed to the animals, and the income is obtained by selling the animals or their products.
 Selling grain and other crops from the farm means selling soil fertility or plant food. No soil can grow crops year after year without sooner or later reaching the point where this depletion is felt When animals and milk products are sold from the farm only a small portion of the plant food of the entire crop is sold The great est part Of the plant food is left be- hind in the form of barnyard manure. and this may be returned to the soil
 Tn many parts of Kansas the soil contains sufficient quantity of plant food, but is so devoid of humus, or vegetable matter. that the plant food Is not available Soil lacking in veg etabie matter will not retain water. and packs and bakes after rains. Such a soil is called a poor soil By rota= tion of crops, by marketing the crops grown through dairy cows or other live stock, and by using the manure, it is possible to add humus to the soil and thus to render it more productive
 The dairy COW is an economical producer of human food No other animal can produce the same quan tity of digestible food as economically as can the COW
 Because of this economy of pro- duction the COW is adapted to high priced lands and can utilize high priced feed 10 advantage That dairy ing is adapted to the high-priced land is shown by illustrations from Euro. pean countries. Land or the island of Jersey, which is the home of the Jer- sey COW. rents from $50 to $50 an acre. Land in Holland is valued at $I,000 an acre. and the chief agri cultural pursuit is caring for and handling the Holstein COW and her products.
 "Dairying furnishes immediate and constant returns A man with small capital can invest his money in a dairy COW and soon begin to realize on his investment The prices of milk and butter fat are never subject 10 any great fluctuations but are more steady and uniform than the price of many other commodities.