Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1920-09-24
VERMONT HIGH IN HoLsTE1Ns.
Five Times as Many Head Per Square
Mile as in Minnesota-New England
to Have Field Man.

to Have Field Man.
There is u surprise in store for those
Holstein breeders who read these lines,
and it should be pleasing and cncourag-
ing surprise.
All too prevalent is the idea that the
middle western part of the United States
leads all Others in the number of Hol-
stein Fresian and in general breed ac-
tivities. This is not so, and 1t is dis
tinctly up to the eastern breeders to see
that the truth is made plain for the en-
lightenment of all interested, and espe-
cially for the encouragement of eastern
breeders.
The census which has Just been made,
the returns of which are on file at the
headquarters in Brattleboro, shows be-
yond any doubt that the six states which
make up New England-fairly entitled
to be cassed as a geographical unit be-
cause of their small individual area-are
third in the number of Holsteins for the
whole country, being distanced only by
New York and Wisconsin. The figures
for New England are 27,702 head Ohio
has fewer by 100 and Pennsylvania by
l,545 head.
If there IL any one state that, SO far as
Holstein activities are concerned, heeds
the advice BLOW thine own horn, lest
it be not blown" it Minnesota, the best
advertised section of the Union; but
along comes the census and shows l4,7l6
head of Holsteins within its borders,
which places it seventh, while Vermont,
with only 1854 square miles of area as
against Minnesota's S4,682, comes only
two places below, or ninth in the whole
United States Looking at the figures
from another angle, Vermont ranks as
the third state in the number of Hol-
stems per square mile having a little
over five times as many head per square
mile as Minnesota. Also, in the matter
of owners of Holsteins who are members
of the national association, Vermont is
eighth in the list, with Minnesota only
one place ahead of her.
In New England there are 1925 owners
of purebred Holstein Friesians as re-
corded by the census. Doubtless there
are more than this who did not take
advantage of the opportunity to be
counted. However, the figures as COM
piled are enlightening as showing the
standing of this group of states in the
cattle industry, The value of New Eng
lands Holsteins exceeds $l0,OOO,OOO.
1t remains for New England to make
the best possible use of her advantages;
and one of the best ways that presents
itself and one which it is planned to
carry out, is to have a paid field man
who will devote his entire time to
boosting Holsteins in New England. The
first question that arises is What can
field man do for the breeders that they |
cannot do for themselves?"
Among the manifold subjects he could |
adyIsa he hrpaIara bop Ilipu bn
herd, including modern feeding prac-
tees; calf care; the advantages and de-
tails of AFRO. work. the selection of the
best types of animals to reproduce;
la'or-saving methods in barn and dairy
work, and so on. He would also be
available to assist in the organization
of calf clubs for the young pepole, get
together meetings in counties. and,
where advisable, public sales. The ar.
rangement of public meetings is work
that. takes much time and special abil-
ity; but their benefits to community
are unquestiohed. This branch alone Of
the field mans. activities would be of in
estimabe value to breeders. I
In close cooperation with him would
be the departments of agriculture and !
the agricultural colleges of the six
states; the national breed association,
state breed Associations and the county
clubs He would also be in touch with
state breed associations all over the
United States, which fact would be
great asset in the sale of surplus stock,
as well as the purchase of new blood for
depleted or rundown herds.
These are only few of the many
ways in which field man can serve the
breeders of the eastern states, and every
one means progress and profit.
InterlOcked with this work is the abso-
lutte certainty of increased profits to
every, Holstein breeder within its circle
of Influence, following added sales, better
cows, increased records and wider, pub, |
lefty caused by the field mans personal
contact with large numbers Of men IN.
terested In the breed. 49, -
New England certainly needs such
work done and should lose no time in |
getting it started. These facts and
many more. barring on tile same subject
will be presented ID q series of about 80
meetings to be held In October and No
yember, under the Auspices of the. New
England Holstein Friesiap club, assisted
by Prof. w, NJ. Rider of the extension
service. of . the national association.
These meetings will be held in each one
of the New England states, and every
breeder is urged for his own ultimate
benefit and profit as Holstein breeder
not to miss his own state meeting.