Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-02-01
Care of Mich Cows.

The editor OF the Boston journal OF
Chemistry, who is farmer, thus speaks
of the Importance of care in the manage
ment of mich cows:
The extreme sensitiveness of the man.
mary functions in cows to the influences
of cold, fatigue, excitement, unpleasant
odors, etc, is indeed surprising. We
have been greatly interested in observ-
ing the effects of cold upon the milk Sc
erection as seen in the herd of COWS upon
the farm.
During the past summer, in the hot
days IN July and August, the animals re-
sorted to the lake to drink, and after slack
ing their thirst, they would wade into the
water and remain 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
observations were made. 1t was ascer
tanned that standing in the water an hour
diminished 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 turn
ing the herd into the yard upon cold
day in winter, and allowing them to re-
main fifteen minutes, the flow of milk
was diminished to serious extent, and
consequently the animals are not allowed
to leave the warm stable during the en-
tire winter, except for 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 conveniences
OF access, are most important points in
the management Of mich cows. A
draught OF ice-cold water taken by a
COW in winter, cuts short the milk Weld
sor the day from one to two pints. Well
water, drawn into vessels, and al
lowed to stand few hours cover
ed' IN the warm barn, has its temperature
raised several degrees, and this practice
should De adopted by all thrifty farmers.
Il would, undoubtedly, pay well to
signify warm the water, but this is at
tended with considerable 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 q
transient nature; it extends for a longer
period than day or week. MANY fine
animals are ruined by careless exposures
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 needless
boys and unthinking men. They should
never be urged faster than walk. Gen
lieness and kindness of conduct towards
lows have wonderful influence upon the
mix pail, and also upon the progeny of |
me animals. A bad tempered, irascible |
nan ought never to be allowed in a COW
'taDie. A man who will kick a
COW in a passion, ought himself to be |
Kicked into the barn-yard, and forever
oiohibited from again coming in contact |
!, the noble animal. The right person |
paced in charge of a herd of twenty
'ows' which have been badly managed, |