St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-02-23
agricultural.
CARE OF COWS.

Almost every family, especially in
the country and the smaller towns
keep one or more cows for the purpose
nf supplying themselves with milk OF
buttcr-both articles of prime neces'
sity with every housckeeper. In this
paper we shall not speak of the care
and management of large diaries bnt
rather of cases like those above indl-
Gated, where their owners do not
often study that close economy In
feeding their cows, and in the dispos-
I'll of their products, which may be
very proftably given in large estab-
lishments. But everywhere, those
who would have milk in winter must
not forget that succulent and nutri-
tious food is needed to keep up its
flow. But slight dependence can be
had on dry fodder alone, unless it be
first rate, both in character and quail
itv.
Mich cows should be stabbed, es-
reciallv at night and in stormy wealth
er. This is too frequently neglected,
the mich cow receiving no better care
than those not in milk, or the young
stock of the farmer. This is mis-
taken policy, if milk is desired. And
from good cows, well fed and cared
for, it is more valuable than at any
other season of the year. Good but
ter can be made, and commands a
better price than at any other season.
1t will pay for one cow or for scores,
to keep them sheltered and comforta-
bic, all their wants as fully supplied
as circumstances will allow.
A proper and convenient supply of
water is of much importance. No an
imal, and no mich COW especially
should be compelled to wander off in
the bleak, cold storm to some pond o,
spring-hole for drink, but should hav,
it supplied at or near the yard if pos
sihlc. When there is difficulty il
getting water, cattle are apt to drinl
too much at a time, and mich cows
decrease in milk from such painful
distention of the stomach with ict
cold water. Many dairymen find i
profitable to warm the water givel
their cows and other animals in tn,
winter.
Good hay may well form part o
the winter feed of cows, but they ncet
more feed in order to give a good sur
ply of rich milk. Carrot and othc
root crops, also pumpkins and apples
promote the flow of milk and tn
health and thrift of the animal. Wher
these cannot be had, the coarse
grains ground and mixed with chop
ped hay or straw, or Cornstalks, may
be fed to cows, or they may be en-
ployed in connection with articles
first named.
An occasional change of food is
much relished by cows as well as
other stock and promotes both health
aid appetite. Oats and barley, or
OATS and corn, or buckwheat, or rye,
form good provender of meal for
this purpose. Corn meal alone has q
tendency to dry off the milk-its
greatest value is for fattening rathe,
than milk-making purposes. Give
COWS what good hay and we'll cured
corn fodder they will fully dispose of
and a peck or so of shorts and proven
der properly wet or seasoned with Q
little salt, and they will continue il
milk as long as though roots wer,
given them, and yield milk of richie
character.
Regularity, both in feeding ant
milking, is necessary to the comfor
and thrift of the cow. Many, whel
their cows give but small quantity
milk but once day in winter. We
cannot commend the practice, and
would not follow it unless for the pur.
pose of drying off our cows. 1t is
true they give a less quantity in the
night than in the morning, but MIXED
regularly, the nights milking may he
looked upon as so much extra to what
would be obtained with milking once
a Country Gentleman.