Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-02-16
Winteriug Mich Cows.

Winteriug Mich Cows.
The subject Of winierirg mich
cows is one in which large MAORI
,y of our readers are interested, for
probably most people who own buta
single domestic animal keep COW,
and those who are not thus limited,
generally include more or less OF
these faithful creatures among their
stock. And the mich COW is worthy
Of this distinction. She produces
one Of the most wholesome and nu-
tritious articles Of food which we
possess-one always in demand, and
which there is no other means OF
supplying. Good cows always CON-
mand high prices, for they pay a
good profit. But this profit depends
largely on the attention they receive
from their owners-whether they are
so fed and cared for that they are
thrifty, healthy, and yield largely OF
milk at all seasons Of the year.
It's poor economy to winter cows
upon dry food alone. They nec'
something more succulent and nutri
tious. A full flow Of milk require
generous supply Of the right kind
of fodder. Carrots, beets, parsnips,
or turnips in addition 10 hay and nn
occasional feed Of meal or shorts, =
a judicious use Of hay, roots, ana
menl, will keep the animals heal
thy and in good flow OF milk even
in winter. In England mich cows
are fed principally on turnips and
coarse fodder, and are stabbed through
the winter. They have a slight feed
Of straw or hay in the morning, and
sliced turnips, morning, noon, AM
evening, with an occasional suppl.
Of good straw TO their managers
Their stables are kept clean but well
Uttered, aud are also well ventilated,
avoiding, as far as may be, currents
of mir, from which cattle will take
cold as well as human beings. The
proper ventilation of stables both for
horses and cows, is too often neglec-
ted.
But all have not and cannot pro-
cure the proper supply Of roois.-
The drought of the past season in
iured materially or entirely cut off
the root crop in many parts of the
country. In this case hay and the
coarser grains must be Used, and
these properly prepared answer very
well the desired purpose. Good,
well cured hay is far from being de-
spised, even by the most aristocratic
of the Fill Pail breed, though if first
passed through good cutting ma
chine, il will be more economically
consumed. Give cows what hay
they will fully dispose OF, and a peck
or so per day Of bran, shorts or prov
endcr, wet to proper consistency,
and seasoned with a little sail, and
they will continue in milk almost as
long aud give nearly as much as
when supplied with roots. Oats and
barley, or oats and corn, ground to-
gether, form a good mixture or prov
cnder for this purpose. II corn meal
alone is used, il should be mixed with
cut straw or hay, and slightly mois-
tened but Il large quantity of this
grain has a tendency to dry off the
milk. l, is better adapted to iatien-
ing than milk making purposes
Both potatoes aud apples are excel
len, food for cows, but do not produce
as rich milk as either bects or car
rots. These roots are probably a.
mong the hes, food that can be pro-
vided--,o be used in come ction
with other kinds of fodder. No sim
gle food will succeed as well as
proper variety.
The thrift and health Of all kinds
Of stock requires Il supply of water,
either frequently and stately, or al
ways within their reach. Il should
be brought into the barn-yard, that
cattle need not be compelled to wan
der off TO distant stream or pond
Through the storm and cold. Such
a journey they will not undertake
unless quite thirsty, when, were the
water within their reach, they would
drink much more frequently, but less
at time, not injuring themselves by
abstinence at one time, or an over
supply at another. Their comfort
in this respect as well as in shelter
aud cleanliness is the best economy,
as an animal well cared for and kept
warm and clean, requires less food to
keep il in thrifty condition. The
best management is generally the
cheapest in tho end, and always is
the most satisfactory to the thorough
going farmer,-WooI Gr0l0er and
stock Register.
Aidernev COsOs. Charles Robin