Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-07-21
AG RICULTUR RIAL.
THE DAIRY,

The produce Of the dairy has been I'M.
commonly low the year past--lower than
farmers can afford to sell for; therefore there
will assuredly come reaction, and dairy
men must not despair. When veal is as low
as at this timc, farmers may be induced to
raise their best calves rather than turn thcm
for veal. Cattle will he higher, and beef
will be higher before another year elapses.
In procuring cows for the dairy the form
of the animal is more important than the
size. Indeed, it is a very general rule that
small cows yield more milk and make more
butter, in proportion, than large cows. And
the only advantage in having very large
breed is II require W" TO make very high
fence.
If cows are well kept they will grow large
enough though you let them come in at two
years of age, And by this course you gain
every way-you save one years keeping,
from two to three, and your two years old
COW will give you more milk in proportion
TO her size, than If she went barren TILL three.
Her powers of yielding milk are developed
more early; her udder and her milk ducts
are enlarged while she is growing fastest, and
they will have the advantage ,hrongh life
If s,rength of nerve and sinew were the main
object, it would be better TO keep the heIfer
till she was six or seven years old before she
could expect the Development of any great
powers of yielding milk. 1t is questionable
whether she would ever be mother if bar
rem till seven years Of age.
In selecting for the dairy, it is of the grea-
test importance to procure animals that yield
milk of a rich quality. There is a vast DIFF
ference in milk from different cOws-a gal
lon from one will make more butter than
two gallons from another. There are GER
tain indications that will enable you to
Judge pretty correctly as to the quality
the quantity. The most certain sim of rich
milk is yellow skin. A yellow brinde COW
almost invariably gives rich milk. White
spots on COW are no good sign. Black
cows usually have white bags, and the cream
will be as white as the milk.
Long legged cows are more apt to put
their feet into the pail than to fill it with
milk. Large horns require more marrow
for their support than COW that makes but.
ter can afford. A thick neck is better adap-
ted to bear a yoke than to favor the secretion
of milk. Large legs and large tail require
too much the feed of the pasture for lheiI
support.
Select cows with good chests for the actor
of the lungs, if you would have them healthy
Slender horns and small bones leave room
for the milk ducts. Shor, legs are kept will
less fence and less feed than long ones, ant
the possessor Of them can get at her food il
the field with less labor. She lies down, ant
she rises also with more ease.
Attention, close observation and expe'
rence are requisite to enable one to Judge o
the qualities ola COW by inspection, and il
dalrymen will not give their attention to the
business they must submit to be cheated il
cows.
You will find our native New England
cattle quite as good for the dairy as any thai
have been imported. Be not deceived b,
large horns or large stories. Call into ac.
ton your own Judgment, bearing in MIND
that this faculty is always improved by ex'
ercising it.-lVass. Ploughman.