Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-03-16
Howto Get Profitab,e COWS

How.to Get Profitable Cows.
Col. Curtis, daiTyman of large ex-
perience, delivered an interesting adj
dress at the late Iowa Dairy fair, from
which we make the following interest
ing extracts: The true way is for the
future dairymen TO put himself in the
way of growing his own dairy stock.
The most successful dairyman that
know have done this. 1t is possible to
begin in a small but sure way, and in
few years to develop dairy herd of
superior excellence. First, buy one
cow or more that comes as nearly as
possible up to the highest ideal. Use
on her male of the best pedigree and
most promising character as a getter
of dairy stock. Whether you own one
COW or many cows, the process is The
same. Use the same kind of male on
the offspring of these cows, and then
begin on their offspring, and so on, but
breed from none that do not possess
the requisite milking qualities for the
branch Of dairying which you design
TO pursue, be it butter, cheese, or milk
for market. 1t is better to throw away
what you have got and begin anew
than to 90 on breeding inferior ami
mails when you have made a mistake
in the beginning. 1t is a prime point
to begin right in breeding. 1t is of
special importance to be sure you are
right and then go ahead. If the be-
ginning is right, in very few years
the dairyman will have a superior
dairy herd of his own raising, and if he
has continued to use pure. blood male,
though his first stock may have been
only the best native mixers, he will
soon have a nearly pure blood herd,
and one quite rs good for dairy pur-
poses rs pure bloods. His herd will
have the advantage not Only OF the
careful selections which he mas made
in bearing. but possess the hardy con-
ditions impaired by the thoroughly
acclimated native stock-be. every
where adapted to the surroundings and
conditions. not only of his locality,
but of his farm, and be thoroughly
welded to their home, with no dis
position to worry or wander. In short
they will be a home product, the best
product in the world, when all the con-
ditions of productions are properly at
tended to.
One of the needs Of the western
dairy is better shelter for dairy stock
during the inclement seasons of the
year. L see many evidences of this
lack, which must not only impose suf-
fering on stock, but heavy tax on the
pockets of the dairymen.
L am well aware of the difficulties
of new country, but believe it true
economy for man to own no more
stock than he can properly shelter. If
he had more it would be wise as we'll
as humane to sell a portion and use the
proceeds in buying shelter for the re-
mainder. 1 would mention as another
need of the western dairy the earlier
cutting of grass for hay than 1 have
witnessed for the past season. Much
of it is so dead ripe and fibrOus that
shall consider it next to worthless for
cattle food. No doubt the feeding of
corn may make up for some of its de-
ficiencies, but an earlier cutting, when
JhC kAdoO 10 dllO
produce a. more palatable, digestible
and nutritious fooG, to which, if sup
plement of corn ia added, the result
would be much more satisfactory in all
respects. This question of dairy stock,
of proper shelter and feed, is one of
prime importance. 1t may appear to
be little subject, but little as it may
be, it is one but imperfectly under
stood by the mass of the dairymen, and
one to which little attention is paid
though it calls for the best scientific
experience and thought of the country
to give it satisfactory solution. 1t is
beginning to be understood by scientists
that "A cow which is running down flesh
while in milk is not turning out pro
duct that is wholesome for human
food. Not only the hest results as tC
yield, but the wholesomeness of dairy
products depends on Keeping the COW
comfortable aud thriving during the
period of milking. The future-J may
say the destiny of the dairy is in the
hands of the farmers, of the northwest
ern states. They have il in their power
to swell the tide of dairy products To 6
great volume, and trust they will have
the judgment and wisdom to make the
improvement in quality to correspond
with the increase in volume"