Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-03-31

Skllltul farmers are aware that vorv much
depends on the kind Of food given to their da-
ry animals, and that hose rare specimens winch
have sometimes turned out such lirre quin,i-
ties OF milk and butter, as to excite the adml-
ration of the readers of agricultural iourn7ls,
owe much of their celebrity to the rich anil
succulent food they get. We have Just met
with the following very simple Illustration IN
the Granite Farmer, from y, G.. Beltpn -
'Some thirty years since. resided IN New
Hampshire. had pasture Of about four
acres, with never fllns spring II pure wa.
ter, and a number of large shade trees ii it -
| In the spring, it was covered with white clover.
| wanted a COW, and was Informed of man
that had large stock ofine cows rode OUT
| to see hlm-lntormed him of my business. and
we went into the pasture to view the cows
| he had large number, and some fine looking
animals. He asked as high as thlrty-iive dol
lars for some of them. | soon noticed a whi,c
and molasses colored COW, with short legs aud
large barrel, small bones, a small head aud
neck. She was lame, had one hip knocked
down, and was somewhat aged. | asked HIN
what be asked for that "old lame cow" lie
said might have her at my own price. Of
fered him twelve dollars for her and 1t was a
bargain instantly. ] drove her home, put her
in the pasture. and the next spring planted
about an eighth of an acre OF corn By the side
OF the pasture, and planted pumpkin seeds with
| 1t. When the pumpkins had grown, ! used 10
smash one on a rock for her, and deposit sail in
hollow rock where she could have access 10
! II, at her pleasure. When the stalks had grown
| cut LOT and threw over to her dn,v, aud al
ter they were disposed of | cut up the corn and
threw over to her. The result was that she
gave us twenty quarts Of milk a day, and be-
came as fat creature as | ever saw. Her
milk was very rich Ny family all used milk
! freely, and cream, and we made all our family
butter, and put down tirkn that lasted Us till
( the next sea on.
! ! kept her three years, Being about to re-
move from the State. | had an application 10
! purchase my COW. | sold her for fourteen dol
/ lars About two months before | left the place,
/ she was put into a pine plain pasture, where
/ there was better supply Of pine s,unps than
Of grass. Size became about as poor cret-
ture as ever saw-could hardly walk and
was told that she did not give pint OF milk at
milking.
! told the purchaser that if lie had the art
| of keeping cows fat. and making them give
good mess Of milk, by feeding them on plne
stumps he possessed an art which | dbl not
| understand.
Our farmers neg ect the food of their cows.
! They might derive more profit at less expense,
from one properly kept COW, than they derive
| from three as they arc ordinarily kept
The same com uunicatlon furnishes a state
ment Of the successful managemen, OF DAIRY;
Il recollect some fifty years since. II nan in
the town OF New Boston, where | then hved
who had stock of cattle, that attracted my
admiration, young as then was say about II
years of age. They were all of dark red. {
beautiful form, soft coat, clear aud c'ean SKIN.
They were well housed, well fed, well cardea.
and brushed every day, and not speck OF dust
or dirt upon them. His wife made SO much.
and such nice butter and cheese, that she got
the reputation of beng Il wllchn