Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-07-04
HOUSE, FARM AND GARDEN.
Which Cows.


The extreme sensitiveness of the
mammary functions in cows to the in
fiuences of cold, fatigue, excitement,
unpleasant odors, ect., is indeed surprls-
ing. We have b9en greatly interested
in observing the effects of cold upon the
milk secretion as seen in the herd of
cows upon the farm. Duling the past
summer, in thu hot days of July and
August, the animals resorted to the lake
to drink, and after Stacking their thirst,
they would wade into the water and re-
main sometimes an hour or two with the
legs half immersed This habit it was
found, invariably diminished the flow of
milk at night, and in order to learn the
extent of the diminution, careful obser-
yations were made 1t was .ascertained
that standing in the water an hour di-
minished the flow to the amount of
eight or ten quarts in herd of thirteen
cows. The loss was so great that when
ever they resorted to the water they
were driven away to the pasture again
at once We have learned that from
simply turning the herd into the yard
upon cold day in winter, and allowing
ZEN to remain fifteen minutes, the flow
81 milk was diminished to a serious eX-
tent, and consequently the animals are
h0t allowed to leave the warm stable
during the entire winter, except tor a
brief period upon warm, sunshiny days.
Water is brought directly from well
into the barn, and the drinking vessels
are arranged so that the animals have to
move but a step or two to supply their
wants. The nature of the water supply
and convenience of access are most ln-
portant points Iii the management OF
mich cows. A draught of ice-cOld
water, taken by COW in 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 barn, has its tenn
perature raised several degrees, and this
practice should be adopted by all thrifty
farmers. 1t would undoubtedly pay
well to slightly warm the water, but this
Is attended with considerable inconven-
fence where large herds are kept, unless
steam apparatus is'used. The influence
OF cold current of air and cold drink
ing water upon cows in milk is not of a
transient nature; it extends for longer
period than a day or week Many fine
animals are ruined by careless exposure
every year, and self-interest and feelings
Of humanity should prompt all cow
owners to keep dilligent watch over
their welfare and comfort Cows in
milk are often greatly injured by rapid
driving from pastures by needless boys
and unthinking men. They should
never be urged faster than walk.
Gcntleness and kindness of conduct
toward cows have wonderful influence
upon the milk-pail, and also upon the
progeny of the animals. A bad-temper-
ed, irascible man ought never to be al
lowed in a COW stable. A man who
will kick COW in passion ought him
self to be kicked into the barn-yard,
and forever prohibited from again COM
ing in contact with the noble animal.
The right person placed in charge of a
herd of twenty cows, which have been
badly managed, will in one month raise
the tactical products so that the increas-
ed cash returns will pay his wages.
This is a statement which has been
verified more than once. Journal Of
Chenist2.Y