Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-05-14

July. 1t is the long and steady mess OF
milk that makes the greatest amount of
butter; besides. it is often the case that
such COW gives the poorest milk. She
will look sleek and fat, but her feed goes
to beef instead of into the pail; and il
you should test her milk you would find
that her cream was thin, white and
spongy. She not only makes but little
butter, but she Injuries the rest, by making
it off color and soft.
In regard to testing cows,-I think fully
one half the trouble is with the cows; we
are too apt to think anything is Il COW.
without any regard to their real worth.
For four or five years | used small pans
to test my COWS; setting about the same
amount in each one; then in the fall
would sell off the poorest ones. until |
fancied that my COWS were very even.
then tried small six-inch glass tube,
having one for each COW. l then saw
that my COWS were not SO very even.
Some gays a very thin, white cream, while
others would give a rich, yellow, solid
cream, that would make number one but
ter, while the other would be poor with
the best of care. Some of the COWS that
| had before judged TO be among the best
| found gave but very little cream, and
some of the poorer ones, as | thought,
gave more than three times the cream
of the former; then, too, as you looked
along the test tubes you could see the diff
ference in its color, difference in time OF
rising,-some seemed to rise rapidly, while
others would hardly separate at all.
Hence, lsay, we must take more pains in the
selection of our cows, raising up the heif-
ers from the best, and selling off the poor
er ones to the butcher, always remember
ing that as much depends upon the sire rs
of the dam. This may seem a slow way
to improve, but it is sure. But some may
say that the test tubes are not accurate
enough, that it would be better to weigh
the milk and cream, then weigh the butter
after churning. Well, will grant all Of
that, but it is less work to use the tubes, -
you save having so many little messes Of
milk about; the trouble of churning it
and the little dabs of butter of many col
ors; furthermore, the test tubes will tell
you more than you are willing to own
about some of the poor cows, and after
disposing of the poorest ones, you can
then try the scales. They are certainly
better than no trial.
Last. but by no means least, give youl
COWS your personal attention, see that
have good bed to lie upon, that they are
well carded and that each has chance to
drink all the good water it wants at least
twice day. Let their feed be at regular
hours, and the same amount; do not give
two quarts of meal one day and the next
because butter is off in price, give pint
if you do.you must not expect they will dc
well. Give them green food the last OF
the summer and fall; do not give them
just a sample, give them good feed Of
rowen or sweet corn if you expect good
pail of milk, and be assured she will give
you milk and butter to repay all care.
know that all of this takes time, that
time is money, but if we can make two
hundred pounds per COW, will not the ex'
ira eighty-two pounds of butter pay us for
some of the care and trouble? l have tried
to point out some of the leaks in the care
and selection of dairy stock. If there is
any one present who holds different views
Gas doubtless there are many please give
us your views, rs we are all of US seeking
after more light in the management of the
dairy.