Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-09-03
Anrifnltnral.

InlS accommodation IN late ISSUE.
There is much difference and apparent
contrariety of opinion as to the effect of
pumpkins eaten BY milch cows. Some con-
tend that they increase the yield of milk,
while others as stoutly deny any such effect
from feeding them. Some stock farmers
even assert that pumpkins fed to COWS de
minish or dry up their milk. l propose,
now, to briefly consider few points bearing
on this subject.
"The pumpkins can add very little to the
richness OF quality of the milk at any time;
but in moderate quantities it may promote
the health and thrift of the animal, when the
weather is not too cold, and the bulk of feed
has become dry, as is usual in the fall, by
serving the purpose of diluent, and con-
tribating to a sufficiently moist consistency
ofthe contents of the stomach. In this its
advantages will be more of an indirect than
nutritious nature. But this is no objection,
if there be real advantages accruing from its
use as food for stock. tt"
Like roots, that are largely composed OF
water pumpkins will be found less nutri-
tious in wet than in dry seasons, and their
effect on animals must of course vary with
their varying quality. In any season pump
kins must effect cows giving milk differently
from other cattle, because of their diuretic
properties-as compared with other watery
food-which the pumpkin possesses. The
channels through which fluid is driven by
the kidneys are so closely connected with
the inner lying vessels concerned in the
secretion of milk, that diuretic food, such as
is more diuretic than is usual, will self-divert
more or less of the fluid parts of such food
into the excretiDg vessels of the kidneys,
and SO diminish the bulk, and perhaps by
the unusual eXeitation, deteriorate the
quality of the milk.
ain former number of the Country Gentle
man, it was stated that in an instance where
cows had been fed with pumpkins with the
de falraF, oYrf tba did TValI Welding
more milk; but when fed with the seeds in
in the usual manner, the COWS diminished in
their yield or quantity of milk. Pumpkin
seed is generally known as one of the most
powerful diuretcs; hence there is no matter
for surprise that when cows eat much of it,
the excess of fluid in such food, together
with some of that comiag from other sources,
should find egress by way of the kidneys,
instead of going into the udder. The cause
of wonder would be if such strong diuretic
did not produce a corresponding increase in
the fluid excretions. And a clear proof Of
this is seen in the fact, that when divesteG of
their seeds, pumpkins produce no such re-
sult-no diminution of milk is observed or
complained OF. -t-
III have not the space, even if could, to
point out the causes of pumpkins having
more seed, and being less suitable for milk
giving cows in some years than others but
such IS undoubtedly the fact; and pumpkins
cows in some seasons, when they have more
seeds than in those when they have but few
only, as we some seasons observe. But the
opinion that pumpkins "dry up" milch cows
by diverting certain fluids, appears in some
seasons TO be well founded, and the fact be.
yond dispute; in other seasons such results
are less perceptble
at would be interesting to observe the pc
culiar character of the soil-some soils beinI
more promotive veofseed-forming of than others
and of the seasons that produce the larges
proportion of seed, by which some idea G
the causes of such difference might be oh
tanned, and the best use to which this Gro
may be put, would also, by the fact of
having more or less than the usual proper
tion of Seeds be determined.
Gas before intimated, the pumpkin is 81
watery that it should not be allowed to b.
eaten in large quantities in place of NOR
nouIi5hirg food; for animals will gorg
and then fail to be satisfied, because, thougl
oyer-flled, they are uDder-fed; though
crammed TO choking, they have taken to-
little of the real element of nourishment anC
strength. neighbor of mine, who is ad
dicted to the examining system-though
must acknowledge not many err in this di
fection-had COW very sick, and nearly
lost her, from gorging with pumpkins las
autumn. Because he had a plenty of thi
food, he fed Il in excess. ~
e'Whatever may be the yield of our crops
pumpkins or other animals require moder
ate but regular feeding, and the quantit
must be determined, not by the quantity
the crop, but by the quality of the food itsel
that is, by the measure and proportion
digestible elements of nutrition it is capabl
ofsupplying to replenish and repair, or bull
up the carcasses of grown or young animals.
THE ADVANTAGE or CONSTRUCTING BARN
UPON SIDE RHILLs-COnstructing barns upo
side hills, says the Rural NeW Yorker, is
practice which is gaining favor among tn
best farmers in the country. Having ono
become acquainted with the advantages
such location, we are sure no farmer woul
be willing to construct his barns in any othe
manner, if this were practicable. The test
mony Of the Valley Farmer on this subject
as follows 'ufhe most convenient arrang,
ment for stock-barn is upon side hi
where the hay and grain may be carted
upon the upper story and pitched into IL
bays below. This arrangement saves gre
amount of labor in hauling the feed for Il
stock. Another advantage of a side-h
barn is, the manure may be deposited in
cellar below, where the whole of the liqu
portion can be saved, and where the who
can undergo a degree of fermentation b
fore il is exposed to the washing rains al
the weather outside.
"Upon the lower side, too, the cellar can
approached with the team and carts, a
material added to the manure heap to abso
the urine and add to the general stock,
to render the whole easy of access for hauli
away. s.rr .fr.-. az
aA barn thus arranged not only save
great AMOUNT of labor in hauling the hay, &
in stacking and feeding, but the quality
greatly preserved by being housed at or
after il is cured. Add to these adyantal
the still more important consideration
comfort and thrift secured to the animals
consequence Of the protection afforded fri
the storms Of winter, and it will be found Il
No more profitable investment can be ma
connected with the farm, than in the constrI
tion of suitable barn
NEW AND PATENT HEN-PERsUADER.-O
friends who keep hens-or their neighbo
will be pleased with the latest Yankee pate
and will hasten 10 secure rights. II is
instrument for scratching, which shoWsbid
"how not TO do it," Ii IS fixed on the ba
Of the hens leg in the shape Of a long spl
Whenever she undertakes 10 scratch, I
spur catches in the ground and brings
suddenly 10 anchor. The hen thereup
friea the other foot with like result. 5
keeps on trying, and before she is aware
il tie machine has walked her right out
the garden.