The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-06-26
Milking.

| Milking is the most disagreeable
work on the farm at least so think a
large majority of the farmers in this
vicinity. Before person engages to
work for the season, he is very particu-
lar to inquire how many cows are kept /?
There is nothing, to be sure, very hard
about it, but it is kind of work that
one, however much he may be pleased
with it at first, dislikes to do after lit
tie experience.
Your city clerks like very much to
come here in the country on vacation,
and rusticate, and often the first thing
that attracts their attention, is The cows,
and they seem to think it must be very
nice fun to milk. Upon making the
acquaintance of kicking COW, how
ever, they soon change their tune, and
| it is not strange that you hear them de-
nouncing, in the most emphatic terms,
the whole farming business.
Some of your city people, and I
doubt not some country people, too.
would laugh at the idea of calling milk
ing cows trade, and yet it comes to-.
very much the same thing. as every one
must thoroughly learn the business be-
fore he can become proficient.
We often speak of person asbeing
a good workman, and this might with
just as much propriety be said of milk
ing cows. There is just as much diff.
ference between one person and anoth-
er in this business as in any other. T
have seen boys-yes, and men too
who had not doubt that they knew as
much about their work as anybody, but
whom / would not employ under any.
circumstances, if l could possibly get
along without. am speaking now
more particularly of those who might
be appropriately termed the wasteful
class. 1t makes great difference ins
cows holding OUT" whether she is.
stripped" perfectly dry at each milk
ing, or little is allowed to be left in
the bag. One of my neighbors told
me that when he MIXED his cows him
self, they each gave nearly quart of
milk day more than they gave when
he trusted it to his hired man. Great
care should be taken TO get every drop
of milk; strip as long as any milk can
be obtained.
Another important item is neatness.
If people who buy their milk, should
sometimes see it before it is strained,
fancy they would not quite as well rel
ish their morning cup of coffee. At.
this time of year, when cows are most
ly kept in the barn, they are very liable
to get dirty, aud the slovenly mixer
will be pretty sure to get something in
the milk pail which belongs in the barn
cellar. 1T a little pains be taken, this.
can all be avoided. Always keep an old
brush or broom in the barn to brush the
cows, and have dish of water to wash
their teats, and there will not be much
danger OF having dirty milk.
Kicking cows are very bad to man.
age. Not unfrequently the best COWS
for milk are very fond of exercising
their legs, while a person is milking,.
and in this way great deal of milk is
wasted by the inexperienced mixer. A
person very naturally springs back
when cow attempts to kick, which is
exactly what the cow wishes, for she
can then have full liberty Of her legs,
and before you know it, the cows foot
is in the pail. Instead of springing
back, sit up as near the cow as possible,
keeping the pail-which should be be-
tween the knees-as high as it will
bear. In this position, there is some
danger OF the cows starting round sud.
denly, and tipping the mixer over, un-
less the head be braced against the
COW, SO as to resist any such movement
Some recommend the tying acow's legs
when she is fractions, putting a ma
chine in her nose, &C., but this should
never be resorted to except in extreme
cases. Cross COWS will generally be-
come gentle by mild treatment. They
will be coaxed, but you canpot drive
them much easier than you can men.
Cows should always be MIXED as
rapidly as possible. A slow mixer
dries them up. This is why COW
MIXED by T" green hand" gives such
q small mess OF milk. P.PnGE.
South Hampton, n. H. Aprill, 1867.