The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1873-03-20
for the farmer.
SPRING TREATMENT OF DALEY
STOCK.


The following article, ON the spring treatment
Of diary stsck was written for the last volume
Of the New York State Agricultural lraiisac-
tions:
In the latter part of February and early part
Of March, cows will begin to come IN MIX ana
if expected to yield the best Returns through the
season, will require extra food and care. They
should be protected frvm the roid, and not ex-
posed to storms They will need. in addition to
full supply of the hest hay, (Which should have
at this seasoh), a feed of some kind Of grain at
least per day. Roots. also, are OF great ser
vice in spring feeding, not only increasing the
quantity and improving the quality Of the milk,
but in keeping the animal in a better state OF
health. Carrots, all things considered, are to be
preferred for this purpose.
In cheese dairies. buckwheat, rye or barley
meal, oats and peas ground together are con-
sidered among the best grains for spring feeding.
They are richer in vegetable cascine than corn,
and their constituents seem to I've in better pro
ton for keeping the animal in strength, aud snip
plying material for milk, and replacing that
which 10 being carried of BY the natural waste
of the body.
The objection to corn meal is that it is Of too
heating a nature for mich cows. 1t makes the
animal f.verish and dries up her milk, aud hence
the majority of our dairymen prefer other kinds
Of grain. Some idea Of it's nature may he had
FROM the result of experiments made with IT in
warm weather, by Mr.. L. B. Arnold, of Fairfield,
with corn meal, In July, 1860, was badly injured
aud the cream rol,ed-" ---ss
The feeding of mich cows in spring requires
Judgment and experience. One thing, however,
should be borne in mind; the COW mnst not be
suffered to run down, to becoWe weak and ex-
hzusted, but should be kept in strength. so that
turning to grass she will be in her full health
aud vigor, and in condition ~ give the largest
quantity at milk and Of the best quality.
Sometimes, when the c0w has been feed through
the winter straw, poor hay, or food that is not
nutritious, she will not come in well, but after
calyng will lie troubled with retention of the
afterbirth. This arises often from eating too
much in bulk; for, in order to get sufficient
supply of nutriment, the animal is forced to con-
sumo Large quantity Of food, which, pressing
against the uterus, gets mp an irritation in the
parts, and causes rbe Placenta to adhere to the
sides Of that organ. When this happens, the COW
is more OF less injured for milk, for part the
whole of season. and sometimes, from improper
treatment, permanently.
1t r. doubtful whether any advantage il gained
in removing the after-birth by introducing the
hand for that purpose; even though the opera
ton be performed by a veterinary surgeon; at
any rate. il should never he attempted by an un-
skilful person. Warm slops or oatmeal may be
given, and warm applications placed along the
spine and on the hips; these, with the assistance
of nature may remove the difficulty. The
following is vouched for by reliable persons, who
have tried it and found it to prove efficacious:
Take nearly pailful of wheat bran. and cider
vinegar sufficient to wet it: bring the vinegar
to boiling heat. and scald the bran with il:
this after it is sufficiently cool, given to the cow,
will usually effect removal of the placenfa in
twenty -fonr hours. : cow will readily eat the
mixture, and there is no danger t. be apprehen-
ded from its use. But preventive is better than
cure, and cows that are well cared for, properly
fed and kept in health, will seldom or never be
troubled with this difficulty. tEf "-H
When cows are calving the dairyman shonld
have several spare stables, where the animal.
separated from the herd, is turned in and allowed
to remain loose for short time. Immediately
after cslving they should not be exposed to cold
winds, or storms of snow or rain, and. at least
for twenty fur hours afterwards, should not he
allowed to drink of ice cold water; give them
water sufficient to slake thirst, but with the chill
taken of, and when the weather is fine they may
be suffered to roam in the yard. IL the udder is
swollen. infamed or feversh, battle it freely with
eald water; this is always safe, and generally
more efficient than unguents and liniments, which
are often liable to do more injury than good.
Whether the calf is to be raised or not, it should
soon ne separated from the COW she will forget
it sooner, and by kind words and treatment be-
come attacked to her attendant, maRifesting "a
desire to be MIXED.
Nothing pays better than kindness towards
animals of the dairy. Never throw stone at or
strike, or irrtate a cow or speak harsh to her: it
does no gaOd, and much may he lost. Milk ra-
pidly, by grasping the teat and pressing gently
but firmly, and avoid Juggling down and strip
ping. nc mllk SuOuIu Ue All uT3Wu IrOtn tne
udder; this is important, for first class COW.
partly MIXED, soon degeneratcs into q second and
third rate mixer.
No conversation should he carried on by the
mixers while milking, this, besides irritating
the animal, must necessarily break up the
work, prolonging 1t, and thus giving habit to
the COW which will operate during the season in
lessening the yield Of milk. The mixer should
he in close contact with the cows body; for in
this position she will not be able to infict a
severe blow whenever she may feel disposed.
The udder and teats highly organized and
sensitive, particularly in young animals; and
they often suffer great pain and even torture
from the harsh and careless manner in which |
they are MIXED. Many young animal has been |
rendered refractory and vicious from barbarous
treatment in this respect.
He who starts with the intention of producing |
a large quantity of cheese from his herd. must |
not only have good cows, but mnst attend closely |
to everything connected with the business. His |
stock must have been well wintered regularly |
supplied with an abundance Of nutritious food !
pure water, and proper care. They must he gen.
tly and kindly treated, never worried by dogs. |
never hurried along over-driven, nor confined |
in damp or nnventilated stables; and finally the |
operation Of milking must be thoroughly per-
formed by trusty and experienced hands.