The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-03-02
WINTERING MILCH cows.

The subject Of wintering milch cows is
one in which large majority Of our read
crs are interested, for probably most Of p,o-
pie who own but single domestic animal
keep COW. and those who are not thus lin
tied generally include more or less Of these
faithful creatures among their stock. And
the milch COW is worthy Of this distinction.
She produces one Of the most wholesome
and nutritious articles of food which we pos.
sesS - one always in demand, and which
there is no other means OF supplying. Good
cows always command high prices, for they
pay 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 ut all seasons Of the
year.
Ii is poor economy to winter cows upon
dry food alone. They need something more
succulent and nutritious. A full flow OF
milk requires generous supply Of the right
kind oil fodder. Carrots, beets. parsnips or
turnips in addition to hay and an occasional
feed Of meal or shorts,-a indicious use OF
hay. roofs and meal will keep The animals
healthy andin good flow of milk even in
winter. In England milch cows are fed
principally on turnips and coarse fodder,
and are stabbed through the winter. They
have slight feed Of straw or hay in the
morning. and sliced turnips, morning, noon
and evening, with an occasional supply Of
GOOD straw TO their mangers. Their stables
are kept clean but well Uttered and are also
well ventilated, avoiding. as far rs may be,
currents Of air, from which cattle will take
cold as we'll as human beings. The proper
ventilation Of stables, both for horses and
cows, is too often neglected.
But all have not and cannot procure the
proper supply Of roots. The drought of the
past season injured materially or entirely
cut of 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 pur-
pose. Good, well cured hay i far from be-
ing despised. even by the most aristocratic
of the Fill Pail breed, though frst passed
through good cutting machine. il will be
more economically consumed. Give cows
what they will fully dispose Of, and peck
or 50 per day Of bran. shorts, or provcnder.
wet to proper consistencc, and seasoned
with little salt. and they will continue in
milk almost as long and give nearly Us much
as when supplied with roots. Oats and
harley. or oats and corn, ground together,
form good mixture Of provendcr for this
purpose. IL corn meal alone is used, il
should be mixed with cut straw or hay, and
slightly moistened - but a large quantity
OF this grain has n tendency TO dry OF the
milk. Ii Is bette. adapted to iattenins than
milk'making purposes. B,th potatoes and
apples are excellent food for cows. bu. do
not produce rs rich milk as either beets or
carrots. These roots are probably among
the best food which can be provided - 90
6e used in connection with other kinds of
fodder. No single food will succeed aswell
rs proper variety.
The thrift and health Of all kinds of stock
requires supply Of water either frequent
ly and stately or always within their reach.
1t should b. brought into the barn yard,
that cattle need not be compelled to wand
OF tn 4 distant stream or pond through the
storm or cold Such journey they will
not undertake unless quite thirsty, when,
were the water within their reach, they
would drink much more frequently, but less
Mt time, mol injuring themselves by absti'
nenee at one time, or an over supply ut an