The Portland daily press., 1878-07-09
AGRICULTURAL.


Oh INC DdfEy OOWs.
The COW is of SO much value to us all,
whether producer or consumer, and the sea-
son at hand when most darymen wish to
have them come to milk, and the great i'm
portance of having her properly cared for
before and after parturition, venture to
make some suggestions for the benefit of
young farmers, or those who have had linn
tied experience.
A cow, to be profitable to her owner during
the ensuing season, should 60 dry at least ten
weeks. 1t is thought by some to be more
profitable to feed literally, and to milk till
near the time OF calvlng, but this is not in
accordance with my experience. The COW
needs rest as there is great drain upon her
system the last two months of her full time,
and she should be so fed as to be thriving and
in good flesh. She may be fed with coarse
food, or on less milk-producing food, but
with change of substantial food, together
with few roots of some kind.
1t has been my practice for years to feed
my cows mixture of salt, wood ashes and
plaster of equal quantities. spoonful as
often as wanted. Cows will eat this mixture
with great relish. do not know as this
mixture will prevent abortion; nevertheless,
feed 1t and am not troubled in that way.
1t seems to me the COW wants something she
does not get to prevent this dreadful disease.
A COW should never be allowed to drink at
spring or brook in cold weather, especially
during the last three months of her time,
where the ice and her droppings cause her
hind feet to stand much higher than her for
ward feet. 1t is known that when an ami.
NAL is drinking large amount of cold water
1t causes the embryo to move more or less,
and in this position it is liable to get mis-
placed, causing serious trouble during par
turition. knew large farmer in an adjoin-
ing town, several years ago, who watered his
cows at spring as above described, who had
great trouble with his COWS when calving,
and quite often lost them. I suggested the
cause of the trouble, and advised him to pro-
vide some way so that his cows could drink
from a trough; he needed my advice, and
had no more trouble in this way than other
farmers.
A cow in health will run over her time,
about as many days as she is years old. If
she is in high flesh and making bag fast,
commence little before her time is out to
feed with poorer quality of food than she
has been accustomed to have. This will
prevent milk fever. But if the COW is in thin
nesh and makes bag slowly, she should be
fed oats or oatmeal to stimulate her for her
task.
After COW has dropped her calf she is
always very feverish and thirsty; she should
should have pail of water, with the chill
taken from it, and quart of rye or oat meal
stirred in it. After she has cared for her
young and had her drink she will lie down,
and nothing should be allowed to disturb her,
The placenta will usually pass from her at
this time. Ii it does not come from her in
about i've hours it is liable not to come the
natural way.
am satisfied that the COW has natural
desire to eat the placenta, and I allow her to
do so. If any one wishes to see dsap-
pointed animal, let him take it away from
her after she gets engaged in eating it.
know of no other animal which has the same
desire or longing.
L never allow COW to drink her first milk.
Now keep her in comfortable quarters, feed
sparinglY few days and give all the drink
she wants, and you will avoid milk-fever.
Cor. Scientific Farmer.
Photo2raphing a Race Horse at Full
Speed.
The San Francisco Bulletin of late date
says:
About year ago E. j. Muybridge sue
ceeded in producing perfect photograph of
Leland Stanford's well known trotter Occi-
dent, while moving at full speed. The pho
tograph was the first of series to show the
various motions trotter's feet and legs pass
through in making one stride when in full
motion. The interest of that particular
PhotoSidPu was SIcdtly euuduC6u DCcauS6 IL
showed the position the horse y. Vas 8 in at the
moment when. his forefoot struck the ground.
IL completely upset all previous theories coa-
corning the shape of the leg and the part of
loot which first touched the ground. The
photograph, which is now pretty generally
well known having been reproduced in the
sporting papers and pictorals, represents the
horses foreleg projecting at considerable dis
lance before him, straight as an iron bar, the
heel touching the sod and the toe well above
the ground. These Photographic expert
ments were being conducted at the expense
OF Mr.. Stanford, who was anxious to have
his theories relating to the movements of a
trotting horse established or refuted beyond
possibility of doubt. Since then Mr.. Muy-
bridge has brought electricity to an impor-
tant part in the work of taking the negatives
OF fast moving object, and with its aid he
has obtained every change in trutting
horses position while making a complete
stride. A dozen photographs show the vari-
Gus positions of Occident's body, legs and
feet while travelling at 2Y4 gait in a stride
OF eighteen feet six inches. The photographs
show that fast trotter's feet are all off the
ground at the same time twice during the
making of the stride, although the best ac-
eepted authorities on this subject have re-
peatedly asserted that trotting horse always
has one foot on the ground while in action.
Ihese photographs have been taken at a
cost of at least $4,000. The camera is ex-
passed and uncovered in twinkle by electri-
city, which is under the complete control of
the operator. These pictures are wonder
ful triumph OF photography.