News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-03-26
FARM AND GARDEN.
AN OLD FARMERS EXPERIENCE an
WITH CATTLE.
Hints about Feeding. Treatment and Gens
eral Management of Thems

The farmer wants to know, not so
much what Is absolutely the best feed,
but what is most economical--some-
thing good and substantial, and not too
expensive, which he can raise on the
farm. Corn fodder, when properly
cured and stored, makes good feed, but
If it is left in the field, or long exposed
to the weather, it is scarcely worth the
labor Of cutting and shocking, particu-
arly il the weather has been wet.
Wheat straw is not very nutritious food
for cattle, but as most farmers raise
wheat, it Is a good plan to have plenty
Of straw well stacked, to which cattle,
during winter, may have free access,
and let them eat what they will. About
the best and cheapest feed for cattle is
good Timothy hay, with occasional feeds
of corn. Glover hay may be fed to
cattle with good advantage. Turnips
and pumpkins, where they can be sue
cessfully raised, make good feed for fall
and early winter. Potatoes, either raw
or cooked, make good feed, and the
small ones cannot be used to better ad-
vantage than by feeding them to cattle.
Potato and apple peelings mixed with
bran or meal, make good feed, particu-
larly for milch COWS. Cattle, as well as
other farm animals, appreciate good
treatment, milch COWS in particular do
so, and should always be treated kindly,
and even petted. They will very soon
learn to recognize those who are kind to
them, will take from the hand almost
everything in the way of food, and seem
to relish whatever is offered, simply be-
cause it is given by known friend.
The writer has often seen pet COWS eat
bread, pies, lettuce, tomatoes, and other
things from the table, and even drink
sour milk, when offered by recognized
friend. Cows should always be MIXED
by some one who is naturally kind and
gentle, and SO far as may be, by the
same person-never by any one who is
excitable, peevish or impatient. Cows
harshly treated often become unmanage-
able, while those kindly treated will be
tame and gentle, and will not be likely
to stray off from home or stay long away
from it. Cattle should be supplied with
plenty of water both winter and summer.
If they get their supply from a brook or
spring, see that it does not freeze over
in winter or run dry in summer. In
cold weather, milch COWS should be sup
piled daily with water slightly warm, as
this will increase the flow of milk. For
summer use, the nearest spring should
be dug out two feet deep, and walled
with stone or wood. A small pond may
be dug out, or substantial dam made
across ravine, which will retain suffi-
cient quantity of water. Where neither
of these plans is practicable, well must
be provided. Supply cattle with salt
about once week. Cattle should, by
all means, be provided with comfortable
shelter during cold weather. 1t is poor
economy to keep cattle without shelter,
for they will require a good deal more
food and even then, will not come out
in spring in good condition, but will be
very apt to be lousy. A comfortable
temporary shelter may be made on the
south side of a straw-stack by setting
stout forks deep in the ground, arrang-
ing rails or poles on them, and covering
with straw. Good substantial shelter
should be provided at the earliest con-
venience. Young calves, during the first
six or eight weeks, should get all the
milk they can use, for if they are ''stint.
ed, they will be sure to be "stunted,"
and never become thrifty afterward. 1t
is not best to let calf run with the
mother, but it should be let in TO her
M orning and evening. Cows shoule7 be
MIXED perfectly c:ean at each milking
In buying a COW, it is an important
point to know if she has been MIXED
regularly and clean and how long before
calving she has been allowed to go dry.
From four to six weeks before calving is
the proper time to discontinue milking.
Omit a milking frequently at first, seven
or eight weeks before calving then milk
once day for week or so, after which
discontinue altogether. Cattle, if prop.
erly taken care of, are not liable to con-
tract any disease. When troubled with
lice, strong decoction of tobacco is an
effective remedy AgrjcUlturiSt.