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Modern Business Geography
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Fig. 64. Notice the general correspondence between this map and the map of hay and forage
crops (Fig. 80, page 101). Compare it also with the map showing rainfall (Fig. 6, page 6). For
pasturage in summer and hay in winter, dairy cattle need the kinds of grass that grow in cool,
moist regions. They do not thrive in mountainous districts (except in fertile sheltered valleys), in
tropical or subtropical places. or on semi-arid lands. all of which lack natural nasturage.
Farm animals in the United States. In the United States the
typical farm has several horses, cows, and pigs, and a score or more
of hens. Many farms specialize in raising animals. Some raise
nothing but horses, others mules. still others beef cattle. dairy cows,
pigs, sheep, or poultry.
Cattle. Because of the excellent quality of their flesh, the large
amount of milk they yield, the tough but flexible quality of their
hides, and their docility as beasts of burden, cattle are raised more
than any other animals except sheep and hens. Near cities they are
raised in great numbers to supply fresh milk, and thus support the in-
dustry of dairying. Dairying includes also the production of milk
to be made into butter and cheese. On plains where the rainfall is
sufficient to support natural grass, but insufficient for crops, cattle
are raised for beef. This industry is called cattle raising.
DAIRYING
Few persons who live in large cities realize the great amount of
work required in order that the daily bottle of fresh milk may be left
at the door. The supply for hundreds of thousands of families in
a single great city means that farmers in many parts of several
states labor hard to get the milk ready and start it on its journey.