Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-01-08
Items FOl. Farmers.

tlVeneSS OF the mammary functions IN |
cows to the influence of cold, fatigue, ex-
citement, unpleasant odors, ETC., is in
deed surprising. We have been greatly |
interested in observing the effects of cold
upon the milk secretions 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
to the water and remain sometimes an
hour or two with the legs half immersed.
This habit, it was found, invariably di-
minished the flow of milk at night. and
in order to learn the extent of the dimi-
mutton, careful observations were made
1t was ascertained that standing in the
water an hour diminished the flow to the
amount of 8 or 10 quarts in a herd of
thirteen COWS. The loss was so great
that whenever 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 a cold day in winter, and al
lowing them to remain fifteen minutes,
the flow of milk was diminished to Sc
rious extent, and consequently the ami
mails are not now allowed to leave the
warm stable during the entire winter,
except for a brief period upon warm, sun
shiny days. Water is brought directly
from we'll into the barn, and the drink
ing vessels are arranged SO that the ami
mails have to move but step or two to
supply their wants. The nature of the
water supply, and conveniences of ac-
cess, are most important points in the
management of mich COWS. A draught
Of ice-cold water, taken by a COW in win
ter, 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 temperature raised several degrees,
and this practice should be adopted by
all thrifty farmers. It would undoubt-
edly pay we'll to slightly warm the wa
ter, but this is attended with considera-
BILE inconvenience where large herds are
kept, unless steam apparatus is used
The influence of a cold current of air,
and cold drinking water, upon COWS in
milk, is not of transient nature; it ex-
tends for longer period than day or
a 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 diligent
watch over their welfare and comfort.
Cows in milk are often greatly injured
by rapid driving from pastures by heed
less boys and unthinking men. They
should never be urged faster than walk.
Gentleness and kindness of conduct to-
wards COWS have a 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 constable. A man who will
kick a COW in passion ought himself to
be kicked into the barn yard and forever
prohibited from again coming in contact
with the noble animal. The right per-
son placed in charge of herd Of twenty
COWS, which have been badly managed
will in one month raise the products SO
that the increased cash returns will pay
his wages. This is a statement which
has been verified more than once.-Bos-
tom Journal Of Chemistry.
BLANKETING HoRsEs.-A CORRESPOND.
ent of the Chicago Tribune, after giving
some cautions against feeding horses with
grain, &C., Immediately after hard work
or working them hard Immediately after
feeding, and also cautioning against feed
ing musty, dusty or mouldy hay or oats
says: A great many grooms, and ever
, owners, of horses, especially in cities anc
towns, are in the habit of having theil
horses always covered with blankets
which, of course, makes their skin very
tender and delicate, prevents the natu
raj growth of the hair during the colo
season, and thereby exposes the animals
a great deal more to catching cold, i
they are short time without their blank
, ct when not exercised. Others have thei
7 horses covered with blankets even durins
t exercise, and make them in that wa,
t perspire more freely, which is wrong al
together and frequently a source o
+; catching cold afterward, when the blank
t ct is removed. To make the skin of
1 horse used for, service so delicate an(
3 soft, can have none but bad consequen
!. ces. Proper grooming and cleaning tn
, skin, and keeping the same in normal ac
. tivity, is good and necessary; but put
t ting blanket on horse when he i
: standing idle in a good and comfortable
t stable, is perfectly useless, except whel
4 he has just come perspiring from exer
t else. To blanket horse when working
8 even if it is in the winter, is not only use
! less-as his exercise is well able to keel
+ those parts of his body warm that ar
e covered by the blankets, but is also in
e furious, as it makes him very much pre-