Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-03-03

his cows. AT Togus Farm both Jersey and
Holstein cows are kept, and we propose tC
draw some conclusions from his record as
published in the Maine Farmer Of January
8. By many the Holsteins Tor as they are
irequcntlyscalled, the Dutch, cows) are sup.
posed to give the largest amount of milk oI
any breed, which may bc correct, but the
question for the calculating farmer is whether
they will manufacture milk as cheaply as
other breeds. 10 Gen Tilton's experiments
the same feed and care was given both breeds
aud the result was such as we should expect
We have long been Of the opinion that for
our rough hillside farms, and there are CON-
paratively few others in New England, these
large breeds of cattle were not as profitable
as smaller breeds, because it requires the
consumption of too large proportion Of their
food to support existence aud keep up their
condition. In rich, level pastures it is diff
ferent as there the large COWS can 6ll them.
selves in a short time, aud then lie down and
give their food time and opportunity to d.
gest and become assimiated by the system,
but in poorer, uneven pastures it requires
moro power to carry the body around, and a
longer time to gather the necessary food to
support existence. 1t is calculated that two
per cent Of the weight of the animal of
good hay is needed daily for this purpose,
which 10 the case Of the Holsteins is four
and one-fourth tons aud in that of the Jerseys
three and one.third tons per annum if kept
entirely on hay; Of course the proportion
holds good when turned to pasture.
The HOlsteius averaged 5O23 pounds of
milk iu 269 days, and the Jerseys 4,l6S
pounds in Sll days, being the average num-
Der of days they wsro In milk during the
year OF 426 and 455 per cent OF their live
weight respectively. But the point of more
especial interest to butter men is the per
cent of cream in the milk, seven Jerseys
ranging from IL to % per cent with an av-
erage of 1895 per cent Of cream in the
milk. The three Hosteins ranged from
10 to IL per cent or au average of IL per
cent Of cream in their milk. Thus we find
the animals averaging respectively 7S9 and
552 pounds Of cream daring the year but
as the average weight of the Holstcins was
1,lSO pounds against 9l6 pounds the weight
of the Jerseys, if we equalze the matter by
taking an equal amount Of live weight of Jer-
sey cows, we find the difference much greater
in favor of the Jerseys, the l $50 pounds of
live Jersey giving $3.50 pounds of milk con-
tanning LOIS pounds of cream.
1t would have been very gratifying had
Gen Tilton given the per cent Of butter con.
tanned in the milk of the respective breeds
as also the cost of keeping, but it is quite
probable that he was unable to more than
make an estimate in these, and he preferred
to give only what he had proved by weight
aud measure. S. g. PosrER.
Hillside Farm, Wilton, Me.
We have no call to defend the Dutch
cattle, or any other breed, but propose to
allow all to stand on their own merits. We
must, however. claim the privilege to dissent
again from the calculation" that the con.
sumption Of food to sustain the vital, diges-
tive and other functions aud supply waste,
is in proportion to the weight of the animal.
If the digestive capacity and temperament
OF the animal has not greater controlling
influence over the quantity of food required
to sustain life than the weight Of the animal,
then our observations have been at fault