The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-02-05
Feeding and Management Of Cows.

/ Feeding and Management Of Cows.
The following valuable suggestions in re
latiOn 10 the feeding and management of dai-
~ COWS We copy from DIR. Jennings lately
published book entitled Cattle and their
Diseases"
heep the cOrs constantly ia good condition,
ought to be the motto OF every dairy farmer,
posted up over the barn, and over the stalls.
. and over The milk room, and repeated 10 the
boys whenever there is danger of forgetting
II. Ii is the great secret OF success; and he
difference between success aIG failure turns
upon it.
Ia order to keep the COWS in milk well and
economically, regularity is next in importance
10 full supply of wholesome and nutritious
food. The animal stomach is a very nice
chronomeier, and If is of the utmost impor-
tance 10 observe reg llar hours in feeding,
cleaning and milking. This Is a point, also,
in which very many farmers are at fault
feeding whenever 1t happened TO be eonye-
nient. The cattle are thus kept in restless
condition, cOnst anily expecting food when
the keeper enters the barn; while, if regular
hours are strictly adhered 10, they know ex-
actly when they are TO be fed, and they rest
quietly until the time arrives If one goes
into any well regulated dairy establishment
an hour before feeding, scarcely an animal
viii rise 10 its feet; while if il happens 10
be the hour Of feeding, the whole herd viii
be likely to rise and sieze their food with an
avldlty and relish not TO be mistaken.
With respect 10 the exact nurture TO be
pursued, no rule could be prescribed which
would apply TO all cases; and each individual
must be governed much by circumstances,
both regarding the particular kinds OF feed
at different seasons of the Year, and the sys-
tenn of feeding. II has been found, il may
oe stated, in the practice OF the most sue
cesstul dairymsn that, in order to secure the
largest secretion of mix in stalled COWS. one
Of the best courses is 10 feed in the morning,
either at the time Of milking, which is pre-
ferred by many, or Immediately after, with
cut feed, consisting of hay, oats, miliet, or
cornstocks, mixed with shorts, and moisten-
ed with water. If in wintel hot or warm
water is far better than cold. If given at
milking time, the cows vii! generally give
down their milk more readily. The stalls
and managers should first be thoroughly
cleansed.
Roots and long hay may be given during
the day; and al the evening milking, or di-
rectly after. another generous meal Of cut
feed, well moisiened and mixed. as in the
morning. No very concentrated food ike
grains alone, or oil cakes. should be fed eal-
ly IN the morning on an empty stomach, al
though it is sanctioned by the practice in the
London milk dairies. The process of diges-
tlon go best when the stomach is sufficiently
dlstended and Cor this purpose the bulk OF
food is almost as important as It's nuiritire
qualities. The flavor of some roots, as c-b-
bages and turnips, Is more apl TO be imparr-
ed TO the flesh and milk when fed on an
empty stomach than otherwise After the
cows have been MIXED and have flashed
their cut feed, they are carded and curried
down In well managed diaries, and then ei-
ther watered IN the stall, when IN very cold
or stormy weather is lar preferable, or turned
out TO water in the yaru. While they are
out, If they are let out a; ali, the stables are
put in order; and after tying them up they
are fed with long hay and lett to themselves
till the next feeding Time. This NAV consist
OF roots. such a. cabbases, beels, carrots or
turnlps sliced, or Of potatoes a PEEK. or if
the COWS are sery large half bushrl each,
and cut feed again at the evening milking a.
IN the morning: after which water in the
stall if possible.
The less COWS are exposed to the colds of
winter the better. They eat less. thrive bet
ter and give more milk, when kept housed
all the time than when they are exposed 10
the cold. \ case Is on record where herd
of COWS, which had usually been supplied
from trOushs and pipes in the stalls, were,
on account of an obstruction In the pipes,
Obliged 70 be turned out thrice 2 day
10 be Wa:ered in the yard. The quantity of
milk Instantly decreased, and in three DAYS
the dimunilion became very considerable
After the pipes were mendsd, and the cows
watered a. before, in their stalls, the fow of
milk returned. This, however, must be gov
erned much by the weather; for in very
mild aud warm days il may be judicious not
only to lei them out, but 10 allow them TO
remain oct a short time, for the purpose of
exercise
Any one can arrange the hour for the sew
eral processes named above TO SUIT himself;
but, when once fixed, It should be rigidly
and regularly followed. Ii the regular and
full feeding be neglected for even day, the
yield of milk viii Immediately decline, and
it will be very dliiirul: to restore it. 1t may
be safely asserted, IS the result of many tn
ais and long practice, that a larger flow OF
milk fellows a complete system OF regularity
in TINS respect than from a higher feeding
where TINS system Is not adhered 10.
Mhen rnn cnt Indl,n r,,hhor l.-a.. L..