Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-06
agricultural.
Durability of Cows.

Many years ago-but long within our recollection
the idea vas common among farmers that when
a COW had attained the age OF seven to nine years,
she old one, and ought 10 be fatted and
slaughtered for beef rapidly possible. The
idea consistent with the manner OF keeping
domestic animals at that time. But both were
wrong. No farmer, who observes, reads, and
thinks much nOw entertains either of these ideas.
II he studied a. all the vital phenomena of
the 4uimil, fed. tended and watched her wants, be
never will arrive at the CONCLUSION that a creature
OF such vast consequence to the human race will
come to maturity and sink into old age in the
short period OF eight nine years an animal,
too, that S especially designed to commence yield
ing product at very early age. say at two
three YEAR,, through considerable portion OF
each year, and To be continued during most of her
life. This fact demands attention in her treat
ment-
The hrst conclusion must be, that a COW that
Is ha.f led and exposed to storms and extremes
Of cid, clnnOt ping fullfed and vigorous calf.
Here, tnen, at the starting point, We commence
at a Disadvantage. The does not yield half
the milk Ire calf needs, so that it begins life
the mother did before IT,, half fed half sheltered
but getting full share Of neglect and perhaps
abuse Scarcely any treatment will atone Tor this
early neglect Tne capacity fJr thrift in an AMI
ma essentially depends upon It's good keeping
from Us birth. Poor snd Insufficient food expo
an injury 10 the constitution which it will require
years OF generous feeding and constant kind
treatment 10 overcome. Indeed, some stock
breeders assert that no alter keeping ever re-
pair an early stunt in the growth.
10 order TO raise good COW. then, one that will
endure TOR many years, that bring calves
must come out in the spring in high condition.
That /, hey need be sufficiently fed for the
snambles but should have loose an soft skins
the hair should BE- bright, live y to the touch and
the animal energetic end strorg. But the old
practice directly contrary to this. The cows
Kept mainly on meadow nay; giving nc
mix. farmers sad they did not need high feeding
80 hey thought II enough TO give them the coars'
est fodder, and not hall enough OF that. Ii they
had studied the physiological condiIon of the ami
maj, they would have learned that sac then
feeding young call, and really required the kind
est treatment and the most nourIshIng food.
UuCer sucn circumstances, the calf comes into
the world weighing only about one-halt what Il
ought 10, Is lean and weak, and gets only half the
mix II ought 10 have, 10 support even that mIs
cradle condition. Such the basis upon which
IL expected to rear good COWS. No wonder
the idea prevailed that Trey would last only hal
dozsn years after they began to be productive
1t Is more strai &c that they ever produced at all
Every animal, bur especially heiters intended
for mI.ch cows, should be kept in comfortable
cOLdIJIon, both as TO temperature and fooj, iron
tie day Of their birth. This is strict economy
Most farmers canuot afford TO do otherwise -
TleIe may b. a few, who have other kinds of steel
al interest, VINO may live for time under sue
neglect, but TIE common farmer Cannot afforc L
halt feed or neglect hi. stock for single day
Inc loss i too cnectly money loss w hen th