New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-10
FARM EXPERTS NECESSARY
Dairymen Lack knowledge to Conduct
Business on Scientific Basis.
To tho Editor of The Tribune.

Sir: The figures given by your correspond
ent J. b. Creswell look complete and seem
convincing, but they cover only one place Tor
ono season. The farmers conditions are
variable in crops, in weather and in yield
from his cows, until a bookkeeper would
nearly lose his mind to marshal the details.
But there is need, very great need, OF the
farm business expert to help direct matters
on the farm. The Woodworking farmer does
not have the time to direct his principal
efforts as he should. He is directed in way
when he produces milk by the milk company
and by the city Board of Health rules until
he feels rebelious, perhaps; but IN another
way he needs the help and foresight OF
real, far-seeing farm business expert This
applies to conditions about buildings, and
more so as to soil and crops. Then the STOCK
en- the farms all need wedding and breeding
with care.
There have been records made in this state
many years ago which make our present day
results look small. Farm practices have led
to direct and dangerous deterioration. This
Is one of the great causes for such an array
of the kind of figures as those shown by Mr.
Creswel. There has been overplus OF
hard work and too little well-planned team
work in breeding the stock and in cropping
the land The good stock is not kept IN SER
vice long enough, and there has not been
system in vogue which kept the stock breed
ing I'D from good to better for any length OF
time. For the most part cow is MIXED
from three to eight years of age, her calves
are "bobbed" or vealed and the farmer buys
other cows haphazard to replace the worn-out
stock.
We often hear Of "milked out" and "worn
out" or burnt out" cows. This means that,
having been heavily fed for capacity produc-
ton. the authority which rules the destiny
of the particular farm decides to scrap every
cow at from seven TO nine years OF age. This
lack of reasonable system leads to just the
condition which has caused the present trou-
ble Milk is being produced at loss, and
the remedy is sought in higher prices, as
though nothing were wrong at the source,
when. if the truth were known and generally
accepted the cost Of production can be low
cred at present prices to give farmers
profit, and distributors can share their large
part to reduce the price TO consumers. We
had hoped to see Commissioner Dillon max
ing efforts on this line, but he evidently had
an idea of putting out the fire" with a raise
in price, like the railroad workers settle
and needs long, steady course of treatment
for complete remedy.
Build up the herds. Then, having some
good stock, feed it for profit and milk each
COW which is worth keeping in a milking herd
until her yield has passed its maximum and
falls back to her four or three year old rate.
You have had examples in this state, and
when such a course is being pursued the
items "stock bought" OF Mr.. CreswePs list
will sink TO a small aliquot part of the yearly
expenses.
There will be found very great difference
in the production per COW and the profit
from the herd when good cows are MIXED
through their years Of maximum yields, from
eight 20 fourteen years of age, and on for
one to four or five years beyond, with care TO
raise all the heifer calves from deep mixers
and properly selected sires.
The farms on which this kind of thought
full business is carried on will need less
"drive" in the work. Crops will improve, and
the farmer can be relied on TO find more
leisure than is possible on the high pressure
places, with "drive" in the work and frequent
changes of milking stock
The changes on such rising conditions will
see more and better preparation for crops,
increasing use of machinery, with CORE
spending consumption of muscular force.
There can never be anything but real hard
work on a dairy farm. But this can be light
oned to some extent and a profit turned to
the working farmer il he will or can combine
In cooperative way TO control as many Of
the conditions as admit Of his control.
New York, Oct. 8, 1916. F. Z. E.