The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-05-20

500, 900 Of these are losing their own
ers from 81 to So per year per head.
This Is an enormous loss which could
be overcome II the proper methods
were practfced. The milk record con-
test has been inaugurated to teach
the boy how he can, by devoting
few minutes each day. increase the
production Of the herd"
Conditions Of Entering.
All boys and girls between the ages
Of IL and 20 years may enter the con-
test, provided they can arrange to
keep records on three or more cows
for three months. Records to be
started within seven days after the
meeting at each respective town.
Each contestant will be furnished
with daily record sheet which should
be hung in the barn behind the cows.
He should provide himself with an
accurate spring balance scale, and
after milking each cow each time the
number OF pounds Of milk, after de.
Quoting the weight of the pail, should
be recorded on the daily milk sheet.
1t Is absolutely necessary to mark
down the weight of the milk given by
each COW as soon as 1t Is weighed.
i
milk should be taken and tested to
determine the percentage Of butter
fat it contains. For this purpose pro-
vide two half-pint bottles for each
COW. After milking each COW in the
morning transfer a small portion Of
the milk direct from the pail to the
bottle. Before doing this be sure that
you have stirred the milk in the pail
thoroughly In order to get an accurate
sample. The transfer can best be &C.
complished by means OF a tin cup.
This same process should be repeated
at night and then the two samples
from each COW tested on the farm or
taken to creamery or cream station
and have the test made by the man
in charge.
How to Figure Results.
At the end Of each month add up
the milk given by each COW. Average
the percentage Of butterfat contained
and multiply the result by the total
number OF pounds Of milk produced.
Then transfer results to the summary
sheet which will be provided.
The kinds Of feeds fed and approx
mate amounts OF each should be kept
and record made on summary sheet.
Cost of producing 100 pounds of milk
and pounds of butter-fat must also
be. computed.
A description of the manner In
which the work was carried on and
the benefit derived must be written
by each contestant. This should not
exceed 500 words in length.
Basis for Awards.
The awarding Of prizes Will be
based on the efforts and reports OF
the contestants and not upon the pro-
duction of the cows. Any changes In
improving the rations or making the
production of milk more economical,
viii be taken into consideration, but
It IL realized that the boy will not
have the opportunity to select the
cows with which he is compelled to
work.
The following score will be follow
ed:
(All calculations concise and correctly
Number of cows .....-........... 10
(Tta larger the number Of records
kept the more credit will be given.)
Neatness ................ 70
Manner in which reports are made.)
! Completeness of details .......... 20
BASED upon, details of recording
feeds, condition OF cows, etc.
Essay ............... ~
Perfect score .1O0
Those who are interested in this
contest are requested to write to ~.
r. Bliss. county agricultur!st, for fur