Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1862-12-05
From the Ams5,can Agticutuf's'.
Milch Cows in Fall and Winter,

nllcn COWS IN faIl anu WihNet'
Milking, except for a short period aile'
the birth Of a calf. i. altogether an ArtI6c
ial process. Nature in,ended animal. to
We'd milk only while !, should be necessary
for the sa.ieuancc Of the young. bu, BY long
training arti6clal habits have been induced.
AMI the dow Of milk i. prolonged Tor
months, and even for years, AFTER ;he na'ur'
al period has passed. Partly tor this rea-
son. no secretion Of The COW .. more easily
affected by treatment Of the animal. Any
derans-neu, Of health. in-giicIeut food, or
bodily discomfort, a, once show, ITS effects
In the decreased quality aud quantity Of the
milk IL should also De horne Ia mind that
the continued Gov OF milk beyond the nat
ural period is no email drain upon the vital
function, Of an animal, aud thi. shoalI be
coan,stbaAncei by extra .iimulu. in the
form Of good nouri,hing food. and whaieV.
or care Is necessary 10 keep up the health Of
tie COW 10 the highest standard A, this
.css5n Of the year. change Of food D. neccssA-
~. Long before the pastures are entirely
desPoiIci Of verdute, tbe grasses nipPCl by
repeated iros,s lose much OF their nu,ri.
nsnt. Though COWS may gather their 6ll,
II b. Of poorer quality, aud the yield Of milk
speedily suffers. \ daily allowance Of bran
shorts, or ground feed Of rye or oats, or Two
thirds oat. with one :hird corn, will supply
the lack q nour,.hmsn,, and show itseli
with good interest sdiei. in the milk pail.
Tbs Iced should be Vet before using. We
prefer il 10 iccilng with hsy. fJr the reason
that nourishmcn,, more than bulk. Is need
sd they can pick Up enough partly with.
cred grass 10 fll their .ionaehs. THIS sI'
ira allowance should no, b delayed until
the animal i, suffering from insufficient
tod. |, i, far easier TO keep a COW in good
condition, than 10 bring her up alter fall
iss of.
Pumpkins are usually FED ou, hrsi, upon
failure Of the pastures. III, be practicable
70 keep them uninjurel until later in the
seas1u, 1t would be better. They come ~
b,-, when dry hay and stalk. are the staple
Diet. and something more .ueeuleni Is era'ed
and needed. II j. 'e.i 20 remove seed. from
rumpkin. they are an active diuretie, and
many believe that they divert to urine Auid'
which wouL- form milk. Any person Who
"a, been long confined % a single article or
t.o Of food. say TO salt beef and potatoes,
knows bow ibe appetite crave. change.
Tas srccdiness with which cows lay hold Of
iurnip-, mAngel wurLsl., or other roots in
winter. proves that they. too, relish varis-
iv. and ia the case Of healthy animals. aP-
petite "a safe guide in the selection Of
FOOD. Even II roots were lacking in naiEi'
nent, an occasional allowance Of item to
cattle would be beneficial.
Observe strict regularity in the time Of
feeding. II meals are regularly served. an'
inAl. will patiently wait the appointed
time otherwise, they will DC restless and
uneasy while looking Tor supplies, aud raw
snous when fed.
The imporianee Of comfortable, we'll ven.
iilatcd shelter for milch COW, Is ye, greatly
underrated. despite oil tha, has been writ
ten and aid. \ large para Of the food eat
en- D. consumed in furnishing warmth 10 the
animal. Thus, good shelter is equivalent
TO a large percentage Of food. Beside. the
actual los u food ir0m the increased quan.
,iiy required under exposure TO cold. there
is a further los Of milk from the feeling OF
discomfort. The secretion. are always dl.
turbeI by influences thA, cause pain or un.
ea,inc.-. and every SILVER Of half frozen
COW. will make ii.elf ielt in the milk pail.
In their anxiety TO secure warmth. many
have overlooked the Importance VI pure air.
Close, crowded stable, rresing with Oiors
from aecumula,ins manure, produce fever
i.h rss,ls-sness in the cows, and the dow OF
max suffers. IL best. confinement durIn:
the winter months Is irks1me 10 animals.
Anl kindness 20 bruies, as well as proh,.
demands that everything practicable should
= done 10 secure their comfort.