Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-07-31
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

Sweden have shown that the we'll known
effect of thunderstorms in souring milk
NAV, in a great degree be avoided or
countcracted by artificial heat in the
dairy. The plan is to start fire in the
room where milk is kept whenever 4
thunderstorm is seen approaching. This
is done even in hot weather, the purpose
being to drive out the excess of moist
ure. The explanation given is that dur
ing the approach of such storms the at
mosphere becomes loaded with moisture,
and the damp, moist, heavy air resting
upon the milk produces acidity and
spoils it. Dry air, then, is important to
the dairy, and whenever there are atmos-
pheric changes which bring excessive
moisture in the air of a dairy, a fire
should be ut once started to counteract
the bad influence it would have upon
milk.
If this explanation be correct, and if
artificial heat has the effect of preventing
milk being affected by thunderstorms,
the knowledge is important to butter
dairymen. In the best dairy rooms the
heating is produced by steam pipes,
which give a uniform temperature to all
parts of the room better than can be done
by heat from stove.
OPINIONS OF A JERSEY BREEDER.-A
writer in the Nec England Homestead
gives the opinion OF T. w. StOughton, of
Franklin county, Mass, for twenty-five
years breeder of Jersey cattle, as to the
value of that breed. These opinions
may be summarized as follows: Jerseys
are not especially desirable for beef, al
though the cows fattcn readily when not
in milk, and make 4 superior quality of
milk; they are not remarkable for guam
tity of milk, but sometimes give twenty
quarts per day; they are not as hardy
as native stock, but with good care there
is no trouble in keeping them. The but
ter is hard and will bear transportation (;
is high. colored and has high flavor A
thoroughbred Jersey bull crossed upon
native or Short-Horn stock is of the very
best. The quantity of butter would be
greatly increased, and the quality fully
forty per cent. The Jerseys are sharp
feeders and eat good deal of feed in
proportion to their size. The COWS arc
precocious breeders. Good Jerseys sell
readily at an advance on the price of
common cows. Grade tw0-year-old Jcr-
sey heifcrs not uncommonly make ten or
twelve pounds of butter per week.
FRENCH MODE OF SELECTING HORSES.
"A Paris correspondent of the Lancas-
ter Farmer says: Tie purchasers of
horses for the French army always en-
dcavor tc obtain first look at the ami
NAL when he is tranquil and in the sta
bic; noting if the animal supports itself
well on all its lcgS, and if one seems to
yield, to cspecially y examine it; attention
is then directed To the largencss of the
pupil of tho eye, which ought to be more
dilated when in the stable than when
exposed to full light. After the animal
has been led out of the stable, the eye
to be again examined, to observe if the
pupil has contracted if not, the sight is
feeble others to test the power of vision
feign to strike the forehead with the
hand. IF the hollow over the eyes be
profound and the temple gray, old age is
to be concluded; wounds about the tenn
pies suggest attacks of staggers, and when
the end of the nose presents circular
scars, it may be concluded that the horse
has been twitchcd with a cord to insure
his quictness while being shod or under
going some painful operation.
Mich Cows IN NoRMANDY.-A tour
ist in Normandy says that the beauty of
the milch cows Of that province never
fails to attract the notice of the traveller
as they arc seen either grazing at the
tether, as in upper Normandy, or feed
ing in inclosed pastures, as in the lower
portion of the province. The original
breed of cattle has become nearly eX
tinct, by crosses with other French
breeds, and particularly with the cele
brated Channel Island cattle.
This writer says the peculiar and un-
milking points of the jersey
and Alderney cows are very visible in
the cross breeds which are seen every
where in Normandy. Dairy husbandry
seems to bc the main object in that prov
ince, and as bullock breeding is only a
matter, it is to the milking
properties OF COW that the chief atten
ton is paid. With very few exceptions,
the bull calves are fed for veal.
The cows are very docilo, and bear
the restraint and exposure of the tether
system with wonderful patience. There
are two native breeds which are worthy
of notice; they are the "Manselles" and
the "Cotentines." The former are from
the adjacent province of Brittany, and
the latter from that portion of lower
Normandy comprised within the penin-
sula whose point is in the town and port
of Cherbourg. The former are brought
chiefly out Of the half wild herds which
Craze over the heaths of Brittany, but
they are poor mixers and difficult to
fatten. A cross with the English Short
Horns has been productive of the best
results, by increasing the size of these
cattle, Fastening their maturity, and i'm
parting a great propensity to fatten.
The Cotentines, on the contrary, are ad-
mirable milkers, Of dOcile temper, and
are with less difficulty made ready for
the butcher; they are very desirable
dairy stock.
The practice of lettering improves the
dociity of horned cattle, as the calves
and young stock are also submitted TO It's
discipline. and the fact of each animal
being handled four or five times day
and generally by women, must be of
great advantage in this respect.
The COWS are led out and home morn
ing and evening by the femme de Ia bare
cotir, or dairywoman, and her assistants,
and they are attended three or four
times day, to change their tethers and
give fresh bite.
The cattle are ranged in straight
line, so that they 90 over the ground
evenly. The COWS are always in good
condition, are never excited or fatigued,
and give an abundance Of good milk.
Water is given regularly, sometimes at
the house and sometimes in the pasture.
The cows never suffer from thirst, the
green food which they Craze containing
of