Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-17
farmers department.
Milking Cows.


To insure the greatest yield of milk from
cow she should not only be well fed and well
tended. but also well MIXED. Now it is not
every man or every maid who can squeeze ffu-
ia from cows udder thai is good mixer.
1t is important in the first place that cows
bag should he clean For this purpose, when
the animal is stabed-as they are or should he
during the winter, on all farms aud throughout
the year. by, many-et the whole udder be
washed with cold water, and Immediately thor
oughly dried with a towel The advantages
of this practicc to the health OF the animal,
and the healthiness of the milk, are great and
manifest and in this way, too we escape the
black sediment, of which milk buyers so con
stantly complain, and which is nothing else
than small particles of manure brushed from
the bag and belly of the COW into the milk
pail. The hands of the milkmen, by this pro
cess, become washed clean, of necessity an
operation too generally omitted by those who
consider themselves neat and careful The
same process obviates, too, the necessity OF
moistening the teats by milking fine stream
into the hands and washing the teats there
with, filthy practice, followed by almost all
men and too many women.
The udder being now cooled and cleanSed
we are ready to begin milking If the COW
be well trained, she will now extend backward
her hind leg for your convenience, without a
blow accompanied with the word " hoist y
They understand what is required of them, and
need only at times gentle reminder. But it
is q singular fact that men who are kind in
every other relation of life-as husband,
father, neighbor aid master-are rough i'll
their treatment of gentle Bossy" If they
say "hoist," it is in stentorian tones; and too
generally the first intimation of their wishes
is conveyed in a striking manner by the edge
of a heavy milking stool. Now a considera-
BILE experience among the milking mothers
of the herd, has convinced US that harshness
of tone or petty cruelty is not only not pro-
ductive of good results, but is extremely dis
advantageous. Many COWS that hold up their
milk to cross mixer will give down freely
to one more gentle. And the sack of grain,
or other weight across the loins, which is well
used to compel the animal to give down, would
have been uncalled for if a kind hand had al
ways drawn her milk, or could be dispensed
with, if gentleness takes hold of the teats.
Now the cow may kick. Well, we have in
previous numbers of this journal shown that
to return kick for kick is a poor method OF
converting Mooley from the error of her ways
but she may be completely cured by kindness
When fairly seated, it is of the utmost con-
sequence that the milking should be done with
out violence, and as rapidly as possible. Ma
ny persons who pride themselves on their fast
milking jerk the teats violently, and others
will cause them to become sore by the pre-
sure of their finger nails. The best mixers
scarcely move their elbows but with the up
per portion of the hand, grasping and COM
pressing the teat, force the jet of milk by the
pressure of the lower fingers.
Whether COW should be milked before,
after or during feeding is a question of minor
Importance, and must be decided by circum-
stances r. l.. Allen, in his excellent work
on Domestic Animals" recommends, if we
rightly remember, that they be MIXED while
feeding for the reason that while thus engag
ed they will more readily let down their milk !;
but many cows at other times quiet, will be a
little uneasy while eating, and anxious to get
not only all that belongs to them, but share
of their neighbours meal also. For this rea-
son we always MIXED before feeding, that the
feed might appear as a reward of merit
Where one has but one or two COWS it is Of
course matter of little moment.
In fine, we recommend to those who want
much milk and good milk, kindness and clean
liness.-JOurnat Of Agriculture