Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-22

The Size or Dairy COWS.
Our recent article upon this subject seems
to have awakened considerable interest, not
only in Vermont, but elsewhere. In this
weeks issue we publish letter from Mr.
Douglas, in which, with his acknowledged
mastership Of dairy subjects, he brings for.
ward some very important points bearing
upon the question, not taken into account by
us. Ills article is worthy not only to be
read, but to be studied. Mr. Cheever, edi-
tor of the Nor England Farmer, another
eminent dairyman, discusses the matter in
leading editorial and recognizing the
difficulty Of arriving at definite conclusions
without greater collection Of experimental
facts, calls for more light We copy from
his article the most noteworthy paragraphs.
as follows
" Every farmer must see that this is n question
Of dollars and cents, and one, too the solution OF
which must tend 10 influence the practice Of every
one who keeps even but a single cow for II there
are breeds Of small COWS which will yield just rs
much butter In year a. those which are twenty
FIVE per cent. heavier, and quarter more ex-
pensive to keep then tile days Of large cows for
dairy purposes must soon he numbered
I'VE shall not attempt to decide this question
but only mention a few ideas that have been sug-
gested by reading the above quotation. from the
Doctors problem Aud first, is it fact that dit.
ierent breeds do consume the same per cent Of
food on their live weight? How many carefully
conducted experiments have been made with
different breeds Of cows, or with diffe cnt cows
Of the same breed, which prove that an cows or
all breeds Of cows consume three pounds Of good
hay, or It's equivalent for each hundred pounds Of
live weight We have no statistics at hand
which will throw much light upon this subject,
but we are inclined 10 believe that the per cent
Of food eaten by different cows, and By different
breeds Of cows. will vary considerable, in many
cases, from the standard adopted in this oalcu-
lation.
Cows, like human beings seem to vary very
much in their ability to digest aud assnate the
food they consume. The same remark, also,
holds good with horses Who has not seen two
horses performing an equal amount Of work, the
one requiring a considerably larger per cent Of
food on its live weight to keep up present cond-
ton than the other? Before spending a great
deal Of mental effort in the discussion Of this ques-
ton, we shall wish to be assured that the prem
iscs are correct q"
With regard to the estimate of "three
per cent" it is simply an average based upon
general experience, as recorded in books
upon the subject, and confirmed by our own
experience and that of others within our
own knowledge. 1t is not assumed as ex-
act, even for herd, much less for an indi-
vidual COW, but it is taken as near ap-
proach to a general rule 1t is in accord
with the result Of Dana's experiments, as re.
ported in his Muck Manual" aud with a
series of experiments by another observer,
given in the Massachusetts, Agricultural Re.
ports upon which we cannot at this mo-
ment lay our hands. As an approximation
simply, applying it to both herds, We felt
justified in using it as we did, for the pur.
pose of comparison, for though, no doubt,
there is difference in this respect between
different breeds, if there is much difference
between Shorthoms and Jerseys, the proba.
bility is that the former eat the most, weight
for weight. Yet we have never found the
Jerseys to be dainty" feeders, or to lack
heartiness. Mr.. Cheever concludes his article
thus
" The shorthom cattle have been bred for years
principally for their beef, and they have been 50
handled that they have acquired very quiet
temperament. They waste very little food 10y
mental or bodily excitement while animals Of
some other breeds may he worrying or fighting
away considerable portion of the food materia
they consume. Wehave believed that this differ
ence in temperament had much TO do with th,
cost of keeping hundred pounds OF living flesh
whether II is carried by horse COW, hog hen, oi
= human being
" We do not deny the statement that three pei
cent OF food, upon their live weight, is required
for average animals, but are in doubt as To
whether sufficient experiments have been made
upon different breeds TO establish the assertion
We know that the Shorthorns are accused b,
those who dislike them Of being enormous eaters
and that the enemies Of the Jerseys complain o
them that they are dainty, and do not eat near u.
heartily as cattle should to be hardy and healthy
For our own part We rather admire pretty good
sized cattle, aud we like to see them put dowr
the hay when eating II rs II II tasted good fol
when we are feeding such animals we have reason
to expect liberal return for the food consumed
either in milk or in flesh but as butter-making Il
especially with us, we shall be glad to exchang,
our present stock for smaller animals, II ii can b.
proved that the gain ON the food consumed will b,
anywhere near equal the amount figured out b,
our friend iIoskins; for here in Massachusetts
the average value of ton of hay is not ten, bu
more than twenty dollars and consequently tn
real loss must be nearer seventy dollars thai
thiry-three, on each animal fed"