The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1877-05-05
FARM AND FIREsFDE.

man species, out mere IL sOmeSuinS oub
of the customary line of characterized
ing. taken from the Galdray, and we
commend it to the notice of all who
have COWS, or in fact domestic animals
of any kind; for the study of their
peculiar individual characteristics will
do the student no harm, while it may do
him much good. Every farmer knows
what variety of Municipalities herd
of cows presents when you have come to
know them all, not only in form and
color, but in manners and disposition.
Some are timid and awkward and the
butts of the whole herd. Some remind
you of deer. Some have an expression
in the face like certain persons you have
known. A petted and well-fed COW has
a benevolent and gracious look; an i'll
used and poorly-fed one pitiful and
forlorn look. Some cows have a mascu-
line or OK expression; others are ex-
tfemely feminine. The latter are the
ones for milk. Some COWS will kick like
horse; some jump fences like a deer.
Every herd has its ring-leader, its unruly
spirit-one that plans all the mischief
and lead the rest through the fences into
the grain or orchard. This one is usually
quiet different from the "Boss of the
yard" The latter is generally the most
peaceful and law-abiding cow in the lot,
and the least bullying and quarrelsome.
But she is not to be trihed with; her
will is law the whole herd give way be-
fore her, those that have crossed horns
with her, and those that have yielded
their allegiance without crossing.
| remember such one among my
fathers mixers when l was boy-a
slender-horned, deep-shouldered, large
uddered, dew-lapped old COW that we
always put first in the long stable, 80
that she could not have COW ON each
side of her to forage upon; for the mis-
tress is yielded to no less in the stanchions
than in the yard. She always had the
first place anywhere. She had her choice
of standing-room in the milking-yard,
and when she wanted to lie down there,
or in the fields, the best and softest spot
was hers. When the herd were foddered
from the stack or barn, or fed with
pumpkins in the fall, she was always
first served. Her demeanor was quiet,
but impressive. She never bullied or
gored her mates, but literally ruled
them with the breath of her nostrils. If
any newcomer or ambitious younger
COW, however, chafed under her supre-
macy, she was ever ready to make good
her claims. And with what spirit she
would fight when openly challenged
She was whirlwind of pluck and valor,
and not after one defeat or two defeats
would she yield the championship. The
boss COW, when overcome, seems to brood
over her disgrace, and day after day will
meet her rivalin fierce combat.
FooD FOR THE Cows.-Sweet corn.
says the Neao England Farmer, will give
the most feed per acre, of any crop we
have ever raised for soiling COWS in sum-
mer. Oats and rye should be grown for
feeding before the corn is large enough.
Clover and other grasses are excellent for
feeding green, but it is we'll to grow
other crops largely, and save the grass
for winter feeding, as it can be cured
more easily than corn fodder and the
grains. We Hrd' - pays to feed grain in
the summo., do well as in the winter
partially because the cows keep in better
condition and yield better product in
milk and butter. The quantity to be
fed, either in summer or in winter, must
depend upon the size and age of the
animals, the quality and quantity Of
other feed at hand, and the object sought
by the feeder, whether growth, fat OF
milk. From four to six quarts of bran
and from one to six quarts of meal may
be fed, according to the necessities of the
case. We are now feeding six quarts Of
bran and three quarts of meal, one third
cotton seed cake, to our full grown COWS
The younger animals have less guam
tity of both. Roots may be grown fol-
feeding cattle with a profit on ali
ightish soils where grass does not sue
coed very well naturally. Such soill
produce better roots, and they are more
easily worked than heavy soils. such
as are adapted to grass. Where land
will produce two crops of grass annually
the root crop will be of less account with
most farmers. 1t costs good deal te
store and feed roots in winter, especially
if the cellar is long distance from the
barn. Beets and carrots are considered
the best roots for cows in milk, though
turnips may be grown at less cost.
PLowING WITH DYNAMITE.-A new
way of blowing has been invented, and
agriculture will derive advantage from
certain compounds heretofore employed
in engineering. The patient, ploddinp
OK, and the intelligent, obedient horse
will be no longer absolutely required
while steam plows may be turned to
other uses Dynamite. ignited by a
lighted body. will burn as quickly as a
lucifer match; but ifset fire to by means
of percussion cap, it will detonate at
once with great violence. Engineers now
use it freely for mining in quarries. At
the weeks now going on at the Trocadero,
Paris, passers-by may, at certain hours,
be startled by deep rumbling sound.
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