The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-02-09
Mich Cows.

The extreme sensitiYeness of the
mRmmaTy functions in cows to the
influences Of cold, fatigue, excitement,
unpleasant OdOrs, &c, is indeed sur
prising. We have been greatly inter-
ested in observing the effects of cold
upon the milk secretion as seen in the
herd of COWS upon the farm. During
the past summer, in the hot days in
July and August, the animals resorted
to the lake to drink, and after shaking
their thirst, they would wade in o the
water and remain sometimes an hour
or two with their legs b, If immersed.
This habit is was found invariably di-
minished the flow of milk at night,
and in order to learn the extent of the
diminution careful observations were
made. 1t was ascertained that stand
ing in the water an hour diminished
the flow to the amount of eight or ten
quarts in q herd of thirteen COWS. The
loss was so great that whenever they
resOrted tOthe water they were driven
away to the pasture again at once.
We have learned that from simply
turning the herd into the yard upon a
cold day in winter, and allowing them
To remain fifteen minutes, the flow of
milk was diminished to q serious ex-
tent, and consequently the animals
are not now allowed to leave the warm
stable during the winter, except for q
brief period upon warm, sun-shiny
days. Water is brought directly
from well into the barn, and the
drinking vessels are arranged so that
the animals have 20 move but step
or two TO supply their wants. The
nature Of the water supply and con
Venienees of access are most impor.
in hn .,f
mich COWS. A draught of ice-coId
water, taken by a COW ia winter, cuts
short the milk yield for the day from
one to two pints. Well -water drawn
into vessels and allowed TO stand few
hours covered, in the warm barn, has
its temperature raised several des rees,
and this practice should be adopted by
ali thrifty farmers. 1t would undobt-
eddy pay well to slightly warm the
water, but this is attended with con-
siderable inconvenience where large
herds are kept, unless steam apparatus
is used. Tie influence Of a cold cur
rent Of air aud cold drinking water
upon cows in milk is not OF a tran
Gent nature; it extends for a longer
period than day or a week. Many
fine animals are ruined by careless eX-
pospre every year, and self-interest
dllQ Feelings u humanity B0Gutu
prompt all COW owners to keep dill
gent watch over their welfare and
comfort.
Cows in milk are often greatly in
jured by rapid driviAg from pastures
by needless boys aud unthinking
men. They should never be urged
faster than a walk. Gentleness and
kindness of conduct towards cows
have a wonderful influence upon the
milk pail, and also upon Il q progeny
of the animals. A bad tempered,
irasCihIe man ought never to be al
lowed in q cog stable. A man who
will kick cow in q passion ought
himself to be. kicked into the barn
yard, and forever prohibited from
again coming ia contact with the no.
bic animal. The right person placed
in charge of twenty COWS, which
have been badly managed, win in
one month raise the tactical pToduc Is
so that the Increased cash returns viii
pay his wages. This is a statement
which has been verified more than
once Journal of Chemistry.