Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-02-28
Dairy Farm Management.

BY C. L. JOHNSON, OF sAYBROOK.
In the first place I would ask, ''Why do
we need essays on dairy farmingy I sup
pose that nearly all present have followed
this occupation all their lives and ought to
know how to manage dairy farm so as to
make it a profitable business. But for
several reasons we find that it is not so.
In the early history Of this country when
the land was nearly cleared, it did for many
wears produce an abundance Of the best Of.
grass for the dairy.
But the continual drain upon the land
without returning much by way Of manure
or fertilizers has brought it into the eondi-
ton that we now find it. Our pastures do
not Weld more than One-half or three
fourths as much grass as they once did and
that of not as good quality. And ouy
meadows are also poor.
On many farms not more than onerhalG
the number of cows are kept as in former
years, and they do not produce more than
two-thirds the quantity of milk. And with
our increased tayItion and expensive mar
rts diving most STD 5rse, have imperceptiss to
know HnstE End1fsE "a ssads va -Rnat Is
required, IS it covers q large field Of IN
Qui1Y. As No. s IS 30 closalY connected
With it, We shall eneIose t1sIn 81 he sane
answer
Many methods have earned Supporters
with common sense views and practical
tests to support their theories. If q large
yield Of milk is required when pastures are
short in the fall, or in other words, between
grass aud hay, wheat bran, corn and oats
in equal proportions are an excellent food.
n An abundance Of good pasture in sum
II mer, with q feed Of bran morning and
II
money invested in bran is not thrown
away.
Corn fodder is an excellent food both
! for the production Of Haiik and butter and
the milk from COWS fed on it is 0f superior
quality both for butter and cheese, so th6
ladies tell US, and when doctors disagree. it
Is perfectly safe to leave questions Of dis
mute to the ladies under almost any cir
| eumstances. In the hst dry weather
which is almost sure to make its appear
III arce in the latter part Of July and during
i The month Of August, when hies are the
most troublesome, feed Of it at morning
aud evening will give beneficial results
both in the yelG of milk and comfort Of
the COWS, Some writers claim It should
be cut in the morning Tor the evening
feed, and In the evening Tor tne morning
meal.
But after careful experiments and OBJ
seryation, am satisfied that 1t is equally
good when fed Immediately after il is cut
IL an equal quantity is given. When il Is
wilted we are apt to give large feed as
the bulk is reduced, and we unwittingiy
| say an armful is only an srmtul, and We
II throw into the feed box about One-third
Y more than if fed soon after cutting.
4 This, Ibslieve, is the secret Of the whole
K matter.
Propositions. Mode Of watering both
iR summer and winter
It is so evident to every dairyman tneS
an abundant supply Of good fresh wafer Is ;
absolutely necessary for the producuon OF
j a gooS aiial,tv Of milk that it needs no
letSsment III YOU have no living water on
-bs~m. sell COW or two, dig q we'll
you ~>-good wind mill. Il will pay,
9ha put u king ct one OF those tithF
| pond holes in hot S.. ~es viii be eyi-
expression Of your counter. S6s drink
denee enough that it is not iusr
for cows.
We should treat our domestic animals
with kindness and a careful oonsideration
OF their wants and welfare. Wecannot al
lord to do otherwise. Motives Of human
ity should be an inducement 10 treat them
thus, and mere selt-interest ought to com
pei men to do it.
When We abuse our domestic animals, we
damage our own property, and II no other
motive than this has any influence with US
we should treat them kindly.
Proposition Z. "Farm architecture"
This branch Of farming is sadly neglect
cd and needs thorough Overhauling. The
time is not far distant when this subject
will receive the careful attention of farm
ers it is entitled to,
Shivering cattle in cold storm OF bleak
winter day hiding behind stumps and
fences, and the earnest, piteous look be-
slowed upon the owner ought to enlist our
and appeals to our humanity
10 furnish them with comfortable sheltaF.
We now come TO the last proposition, No.