The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-11-30
CARE OF DAIRY COWS.

The stalls should be kept perfectly clean,
and not only SO, but the walls free from
cob-webs and dust; and not less essential is
it that the managers should be kept clean
also. If we would only pay little atten-
ton to the habits of our farm animals, it
would be seen that they are scrupulously
clean, almost fastidiously so. Much of the
benefit of good food is lost by giving it
badly prepared, and in dirty managers or
boxes. Ventilation is important; but the
benefit of this will be to large extent lost
if the interior of the house is not kept
clean. 1t is of little use to admit fresh
air to the interior, if it is only there to be
mixed with noxious emanatiops arising
from the presence of dirt. Another point
to be attended to is the bedding or litter
ing for the cows; in many cases this is
grossly neglected-the animal being kept
in very uncomfortable condition. AS
rule, the long straw, which is generally
is used in a way not econom ical. The
way to use straw, is to cut it with the
straw cutter. This may appear to be
costly mode of using it. but it is quite the
reverse. Less straw is required in this
form than if used long, and it not only
admits of the "droppings" Of the COW
being lifted easily away without disturb
ing the rest of the bedding, but it is, when
done we'll, in the best condition for the
manure or dung heap. Sawdust also forms
an excellent bedding, as do leaves and fine
tanners bark. The ammonia, which, i'll even
ordinary circumstances, rises from the
dropping and bedding saturated with urine,
and is lost, may be fixed by sprinkling the
bedding and the cutters with sulphuric
acid-the oil of vitrol of commerce.; ID.
weight of this will fix the amonia of sixty
Or seventy gallons of urine. The liquid
should be led at once from the house to the
liquid manure tank, which will soon pay
for itself; the using of sulphuric acid will
raise the value of the liquid manure that
being estimated at ten or twelve dollars
year per COW. The cost of the acid thus
used will be very trifing-an authority
puts it at one-half penny per COW per week.
The best material out of sight for making
floors of cow-houses is " Portland cement
concrete it is easily made, easily laid,
economical, and gives surface as fine and
as hard as stone. Grooves for giving
foothold, if Thought necessary, and cutters
can be formed in it with the greatest ease.
But not only should the house be kept
clean, but it is essential that the animals
themselves be so also. 1t is unnecessary here
to describe in detail the influence which
the skin has upon tho health of an animal;
suffice it to say, that it performs most
important function which cannot be per-
formed if the coat of the COW is kept in a
filthy condition, filled with dust or coated
over with patches of hardened manure; this
condition of body induces the attacks and
aggravates the evil effects of lice, &c.
All sorts of cures are advocated for this
plague of parasites with which cows are
afflicted, but if they were kept perfectly
clean, there would be fewer occasions
when such cures would be necessary. Pre-
vention is better than cure, and by attend
ing to the cleanliness of the cow much
would be r,vented. Cows should be curry
combed, or at all events rubbed down care
fully several times day with a wisp of
straw, and all manure removed from their
coats. All this may be considered trouble
some, as no doubt it is; but then anything
worth doing is not done without trouble,
and to make COWS pay cannot surely be
called an unnecessary trouble.