The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-03-20
Feeding Cows n, nIiIkluR rine.

lt Is the naolt OF many persons, es-
peSially if they keep but one or two
cows, to take, morning and night, into
the barn, pailful Of moist feed when
they do the empty milk pail. Others
bring basket of ears of corn frsm the
crib, while still greater number pitch
down and lay before the COW fork full
of hay preparatory to milking. The
object in all these cases is the same: to
give the cow something that will keep
her IN good humor while she is being
MIXED. This foddering is the basis OF
compromise, in which it is agreed
that the cow shall keep her legs and
tail still while she is being MIXED, but
shall be at entire liberty to exercise
with her nose as much as she pleases.
1t is bargain in which the mixer
agrees to give the cow a pail of warm
food, or its equivalent, in exchange for
pail of warm milk. You agree'to give
up 10 her a certain amount of foed that
rightfully sbOuld'go into the hog-trOugb
or the horses feed box, provided she
will give down an extra quantity of her
coveted secretion.
Now we will not consider this prac-
tice in moral point Of view, nor hint
that such bargains and compromises are
ordinarily coupled with "fraud and cor
ruption;" but we will suggest that this
habit of feeding cows, while they are
being MIXED, is bad one in many re-
spects. Giving cows an extra feeding
at milking time, in order to induce them
to submit quietly to the operation, is
very much like bribing children with
an extra doughnut or stick of candy
to 60 to bed without crying. Discon-
tinue the practice for single time, and
you will see the result; the COW that
was coaxed into gentleness, is now
restless, cross, and inclined to hold up
her milk and kick mp her heels. The
truth is, she is not going to be milked
in quietness unless she is paid for it.
Let a cow contract the habit of being
fed at milking time, and it will be found
about as hard to break off as is the habit
of using tobacco by her owner. She
will expect this extra allowance as
much during the month of June as in
the month of February.
But this is by no means the only
trouble that results from this practice.
Cows will not unfreguently-at least,
this is our xperience-get in the habit
of examining down their food, on such
occasions, with the utmost greediness,
so as to leave the feed pail empty some
minutes before the milk pail is full.
This they do, thinking to have it re-
plenished as soon as the bottom is
reached, of which event they will often
admonish you by lusty kick indeed,
we have known cows that had had con-
siderable experience in the matter, that
learned to give down their milk in the
inverse ratio to the rapidity with which
they devOurea their provender. They
did not seem to have the ability to do
two things at once; and so they de-
voted all their energies toward empty
ing the pail that was before them, and
giving no possible heed to the pail that
was out of sight.
Cows are not famous for their sagacity
as are horses, but it is certain that they
will learn to take advantage of the
milker in getting an increase of their
allowance of food at milking time, and
they will contract habits that will give
the mixer great trouble. A cow that
has been accustomed to be fed at milk.
ing time during early life will be milked
with difficulty ever afterwards, if de-
MED her usual ratiOns; hence the i'm
portance of keeping them from acquir-
ing this habit while young.