The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-09-20


isfastory conditions of the dairy indus
try has been brought about by circum-
stances of which the dairyman has been
the victim and not the creator. The adj
yancing price of beef animals has made
many inferior dairy cows more valuable
for slaughter than for dairy purposes.
Milk and dairy products have not ad-
vanced in price proportionately to the
advance of other food products. The
cost of production has greatly increased,
due both to the increased cost Of food
stuffs of all kinds and the advance in
the cost of labor as we'll as the difficult
ty of securing competent help even at
the advanced wage. Dairymen all over
the United States have been forced to
meet these conditions by marketing their
less profitable cows, and this has re-
suited in decrease in the total produc-
ton of milk in proportion to the popu-
lation.
The necessary advance in the price of
milk has caused complaint among con-
sumers who are not informed as to the
legitimate causes for such advance. 1t
Is desirable that there shall be insti-
tuted campaign of education to make
plain the true food values of milk. and
we recommend that in instituting such
campaign a most earnest effort be
made by the government officials to Sc
cure the cooperation of the daily press.
A special effort should be made to in
form the public of the value of skinned
milk both for children and adults and
of the value of cottage cheese, the great
er manufacture of which would save as
food large quantities Of SKINNED milk
which is now wasted.
OBJ That purchases of dairy products
by governmental agencies should be at
prices which will fully cover the actual
cost of production. Prices lower than
these will tend further to discourage the
dairy industry.
(c) That very large increase in the
production of milk and milk products
can be brought about by better under
standing of scientific methods OF feed
ing and of selection of high-producing
cows. We therefore suggest that a siren
uous effort be made to increase the
number of cow-testing associations.
(d) That the efforts to prevent the
marketing Of dairy calves for meat pur-
poses are not well directed. The average
dairy farmer finds it necessary to dis
pose of his calves at the earliest age
at which they may be used for meat
purposes, because. first, his entire milk
output Is needed to supply his customers
and is more valuable there than when
fed to calves; second, because at the
high prices of feedstuffs that have been
prevailing it is Improbable to carry the
calves for any length of time. Restric-
ton on the sale or slaughter of calves
would reduce the milk supply
(e) That the redistribution of dairy
stock can best be promoted through the
county agents. and we suggest that a
central organization within the depart
ment of agriculture can best direct such
distribution.
SHEEP
(a) Owing to not only national but
a world shortage of wool and mutton it
is Immediately necessary that our sheep
industry should be encouraged on the
western range and the small farms of the
country
OBJ The federal department of agri-
culture and the state agricultural col
leges and experiment stations should to
the greatest extent consistent with their
appropriations, extend their work of ed
ucation with reference to sheep raising
and wool growing. and county agents
should make special efforts to guide be-
ginners on safe lines.
(c) The eve from the western ranges
which is unable longer to bear range
hardships but which will readily respond
to the more favorable feed and care af-
liable for redistribution to the farm.
Cd The western range industry has
been greatly reduced by the rapid pass
ing of the public domain into the hands
of private owners, and there remain
practically no lands on the public do
main that are left for any other use
than for the grazing Of live stock. They
should therefore be used for that pur-
pose and sold or leased for grazing
purposes under such governmental reg
ulations as will develop their carrying
capacity for live stock and greatly in
crease the production of meat and wool
We earnestly request national legisla-
ton which will effect this result.
(e) Congress- should likewise enact leg
islation providing for the sale or lease
as isolated tracts Of small areas OF
land, not exceeding $40 acres in one
tract, which are surrounded by private
entries
~ The stray and useless dog is the
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