The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-13
Hints on Milking.

The quantity of milk COW will give
at a given time, and the length of time
she will afford milk, are largely influ-
enced by the mixer Only experienced
persons should be employed to draw
the milk from COW the season after
the first calf is dropped. Some train
ing is necessary in order to make a
first-class mixer of the most promising
heifer. The habits of COW in regard
to milking are generally formed during
the first season. If she learns to kick,
or to withhold milk, these bad habits
will be likely to continue through life.
A person who does not know how to
milk will not be likely to be suita-
BILE one to train young cow. The
chances are that each will teach the
other bad tricks. Young cows should
be trained to become good mixers by
experienced persons, and young persons
should be taught the art of drawing milk
by praticing on old cows.
As rule women are better mixers
than men, because their hands are soft
er, and their manners more quiet. Bots
ferrous, irritable persons who become
angry on very slight provocation
should never be assigned to the work
of milking cows. Very slow or very
noisy persons never become good milk
ers. The faster COW is MIXED the
greater will be the amount given and
the cleaner its condition. Slow mixers
gradually dry up COW, for the reason
that the milk will be withheld if it is
not withdrawn as fast as it is given
down. If the udder is considerably
distended, the teats should be pressed
gently, at first, so as not to cause pain.
After the pressure is relieved some.
what, the process of withdrawing the
milk should be conducted as rapidly
as possible. The last drop of milk
should be removed. If any remains in
| the udder it will be absorbed in the sys
tenn, or become caked to the great iniu
ry of the animal.
Regularity is of the first importance
in milking. The same hour should bt
set apart for milking both morning and
evening, so that the day will be divided
into two equal parts. Want of pune
tuality in drawing milk will be quite
certain to reduce the flow, and it j.
very difficult to restore the accustomed
yield of milk after it has been dimin
ished from any cause. IF possible
cows should be MIXED by the same per
son during the entire season. Cow.
are generally restless when MIXED b,
strangers. If several COWS are to bt
MIXED by the same person, they shoult
have the milk drawn from them in thu
same order at every milking-time. 1r
regularity in milking is the chief cause
of caked bag, sore teats, and involun
tary loss Of milk. Cows that ar,
MIXED regularly and by the same per
sons, rarely show a disposition to hole
up their milk. On the other hand the,
generally manifest pleasure in havins
the milk withdrawn.
A mixer should attend strictly t,
business. Conversation between milk
ers, especially when carried on in a lout
tone of voice, should be avoided.
vessel should be used in milking of stuff
Gent size to hold all the milk one Gov
will give. 1t should be placed in pc
sition where change will not be render
ed necessary. Mich COWS should b,
brushed regularly, SO that there. will b.
no loose hairs or dirt on their bodies t,
drop in the milk-pail. Washing thelud
der and teats is practice of question:
BILE value. If cows have q clean plac
to sleep in, little dirt will be found OF
them that can not be removed with
brush. If cracks appear on the teats
they may be treated with glycerine o
cosmoline. These substances keep tn
skin soft and protect the broken surfac
from the action of the air.