The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-01-08
Mich Cows in Fall and Winter.

Milking, except for a short period
after the birth of the calf, is altogether
an artificial process Nature intended
animals to yield milk only while it
should be necessary for the sustenance
OF the young; but by long training, ar
titicial habits have been induced. and
the flow of milk has been prolonped
for months, and even for years, after
the natural period has passed. Partly
for this reason, no secretion of the COW
is more easily affected by treatment of
the animal. Any arrangement of
health, insufficient food, or bodily dis
comfort, at once shows its effects in the
decreased quantity and quality of the
milk. 1t should also be borne in mind
that the continued flow of milk beyond
the natural period is no small drain
upon the vital functions of an animal,
and this should be counterbalanced by
an extra stimulus in the form of good
nourishing food, and whatever care is
necessary to keep up the health of the
COW to the highest standard.
AT this season of the year change of
food is necessary. Long before the
pastures are entirely despolled of ver-
dure, the grasses nipped by repeated
lrosts lose much of their nutriment.
Though cows may gather their fill, it
is of poorer quality, and the yield Of
milk speedily suffers. A daily allow
ance of bran, shorts, or ground feed of
rye and oats: or two-thirds oats with
one third corn, will supply the lack of
nourishment, and show itself with good
interest added, in the milk pail. This
feed should he wet before using. We
prefer it to feeding with hay, for the
reason that nourishment, more than
bulk, needed; they can pick up enough
partly withered grass to Fill their
stomachs. This extra allowance sho'd
not be delayed until the animal is suf-
fering from insufficient food. 1t is far
easier to keep COW in good condition,
than to bring her up after falling off.
Pumpkins are usually fed ont first,
upon failure of the pastures. If it be
practicable to keep them uninjured
until later in the season, it would be
hetter. They come in best when dry
nay aud stalks are the staple diet, and
something more succulent is craved
and needed. II is best to remove seeds
from pumpkins, they are an active diu-
retic, and many believe they divert to
urine fluids which would form milk.
Any person who has long been con-
lined to a single article or two of food,
say to salt beef and potatoes, knows
how the appetite Graves change. The
sreediness with which cows lay hold of
'urnip,s mangel wurtzels, or otherroots.
IN winter, proves that they, too, relish
variety; and in the case of healthy ami.
mails, appetite is a safe guide in the se-
lection of food. Even if roots were
lacking in nutriment, an occasional al
lowance of them to cattle would be
beneficial,
Observe strict regularity in the time
# feeding. If meals are regularly
served, animals will patiently wait the
appointed time; otherwise they will be
restless aud uneasy while looking for
supplies, and ravenous when fed.
The importance of comfortable, well
ventilated shelter for mich cows is yet
greatly underrated, despite all that has
1een written and said a large part
of the food eaten is consumed in fur
nisl,ing warmth to the animal Thus,
good shelter is equivalent TO a large
percentage of food. Besides the actual
loss of food from the increased amount
required under exposure to cold, there
is further loss in milk from the feeling
of discomfort. The secretions are al.
ways disturbed by influences that cause
pain or uneasiness, and every shiver of
a half frozen COW will make itself yisi.
BILE in the milk pail.
In their anxiety to secure warmth,
many have overlooked the importance
of pure air. Close, crowded stables.
reeking with odors from accumulatlng
manure, produce feverish restlessness
lin the COWS, and the flow Of milk suf-
fers. At best, confinement during the
winter months is irksome to animals,
and kindness to brutes, as well as profit,
demands that everything practicable
should be done to secure their comfort.
-Americdn Agricultmist.
"a Speaking of economy reminds
lr1a